Gnosis shares new findings that indicate how some women may be more vulnerable to cardiovascular diseases

Photo © AdobeStock.com/Маргарита Медведева

Gnosis by Lesaffre (Marcq-en-Baroeul, France, and East Brunswick, NJ) has shared new findings demonstrating that women may be at greater risk of developing heart disease than originally thought due to reproductive and menopause factors. The company explained in a press release that an observational study conducted by researchers from the Imperial College London’s National Heart and Lung Institute found that earlier first birth, higher number of births, and earlier menarche are linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular conditions in women. The researchers used a technique called Mendelian Randomization that uncovered an association between genes that predict reproductive factors and the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

“Women are often mischaracterized as being at low risk for cardiovascular disease, leading to delays in diagnosis. Even when they are diagnosed, they tend to receive less targeted treatment than men,” explained Dr. Maddalena Ardissino, of the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College, London, and lead study author, in the press release.

“Many of the previous studies on cardiovascular disease have focused on men, but our research shows that there are sex-specific factors that influence the risk for women,” added, Dr. Fu Siong Ng, senior author of the study.

Previous research has found that women are particularly vulnerable during menopause, with one review finding that women going through menopause develop thicker and stiffer arteries¹. Gnosis by Lesaffre cited two studies that found daily supplementation with 180 mcg of its branded MenaQ7 Vitamin K2 as MK-7 improved arterial stiffness through the activation of the K-dependent Matrix Gla protein.^2,3

“Gnosis by Lesaffre works with world-renowned researchers to confirm the safe and effective health benefits of MenaQ7 Vitamin K2 as MK-7,” said Jean-Francois Jeanne, substantiation & applications team manager for Gnosis by Lesaffre, in a press release. “Elucidating the important mechanism of activating K-dependent proteins, including osteocalcin and MGP, was foundational to that work.”

“As new research emerges that confirms the high risk of heart disease in women, the greater the need for sustainable, natural and inexpensive tools such as vitamin K2 as MenaQ7 for protecting the cardiovascular structure and function in women as they age,” he continued.

Reference

1. El Khoudary S.R.; Aggarwal, B.; Beckle, T.M.; Hodis, H.N.; Johnson, A.E.; Langer, R.D. Menopause Transition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Implications for Timing of Early Prevention: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2020 142(25):e506-e532. DOI: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000912

Vermeer, C.; Vik, H., Effect of Menaquinone-7 (vitamin K2) on Vascular Elasticity in Healthy Subjects: Results From a One-Year Study. Vascul Dis Ther. 2020 5:1-4. DOI: 10.15761/VDT.1000179

Knapen M.H.J.; Drummen, N.; Bekers, O.; Hoeks, A.P.G.; Vermeer, C.; Braam, L.A. Menaquinone-7 Supplementation Improves Arterial Stiffness in Healthy Postmenopausal Women: Double-Blind Randomised Clinical Trial” Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 2015 113 (5). DOI: 10.1160/TH14-08-0675