What Are the Benefits of Taking Vitamin K5? Separating Fact from Fiction

November 21, 2025 •

3 min read

While vitamin K is a group of essential fat-soluble vitamins, it's a little-known fact that the variant known as vitamin K5 is primarily a synthetic compound, not a common dietary supplement. Exploring the potential benefits of taking vitamin K5 requires understanding its different role compared to the standard K1 and K2 found in food and supplements.

Quick Summary

This guide explores what vitamin K5 is, distinguishing its synthetic nature and specific research uses from the proven dietary benefits of vitamins K1 and K2 for bone and heart health.

Key Points

Vitamin K5 is not a dietary supplement: Unlike natural vitamins K1 and K2, vitamin K5 is a synthetic compound and is not intended for human consumption.
K5's uses are limited to research: In laboratory settings, vitamin K5 has shown potential antimicrobial and anti-cancer properties, but these are not benefits for dietary intake.
K1 and K2 offer established health benefits: The natural forms of vitamin K are vital for blood clotting, promoting strong bones, and supporting heart health.
Synthetic vitamin K can be toxic: Other synthetic forms, like vitamin K3 (menadione), have known toxicity, highlighting the risk of consuming unregulated synthetic variants like K5.
Prioritize natural sources: The safest and most effective way to obtain vitamin K benefits is through a diet rich in K1 (leafy greens) and K2 (fermented foods, eggs, dairy).

What is Vitamin K?

Vitamin K is a family of fat-soluble vitamins crucial for blood clotting and bone metabolism. The main natural forms are vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and vitamin K2 (menaquinone). K1 is found mostly in leafy greens, while K2 is in animal products and fermented foods. Vitamin K activates proteins that manage calcium, helping prevent arterial calcification and promoting bone strength.

The Role of Vitamin K1

Blood Clotting: Essential for activating liver clotting factors.
Bone Health: Supports bone health, though its effect may be more localized than K2.

The Role of Vitamin K2

Cardiovascular Health: Helps prevent arterial calcification, particularly long-chain K2 variants like MK-7.
Bone Strength: Activates osteocalcin, which binds calcium to bone, improving density.
Other Benefits: Research suggests potential roles in blood sugar regulation and protecting against some cancers.

What is Vitamin K5?

Vitamin K5 is a synthetic compound, 4-amino-2-methyl-1-naphthol, unlike natural K forms. It's not in food or sold as a human dietary supplement, but rather a research chemical. It's been studied for potential antimicrobial and anticancer properties in controlled settings. Synthetic forms like K3 (menadione) have shown toxicity and are not used in human supplements. Any potential benefits of K5 are purely in a research context.

Synthetic vs. Natural Vitamin K: A Comparison


Feature	Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone)	Vitamin K2 (Menaquinones)	Vitamin K5 (Synkamin)
Source	Plants (leafy greens, some oils)	Animal products (meats, eggs, cheese) and fermented foods	Synthetic chemical, not food-based
Dietary Use	Common dietary source, supplements often contain K1	Dietary source, popular supplement form for bone/heart health	Not for dietary supplementation; research use only
Primary Function	Blood clotting activation	Heart health (arterial calcification), bone strength, other cellular processes	Research applications (e.g., antimicrobial, anticancer studies)
Safety	Considered safe, toxicity is rare	Considered safe, toxicity is rare	Not for human consumption; safety for dietary intake is not established. Synthetic forms can be toxic.

Research Applications for Vitamin K5

Vitamin K5 is not a dietary supplement but has been explored in specific controlled research. These applications are not suitable for personal use:

Antimicrobial Agent: Studies suggest K5 can enhance UV light inactivation of bacteria in a lab.
Anticancer Studies: Preclinical research indicates K5 might inhibit enzymes in tumor cells, potentially causing cell death in specific cancer lines.
Preservative: Due to its antimicrobial properties, K5 has been investigated for use as a preservative in pharmaceuticals and food products.

These uses are limited to research and manufacturing, and there are no proven health benefits from consuming vitamin K5. Its safety for human ingestion is unknown and potentially risky.

Why You Should Stick to K1 and K2

To gain vitamin K's health benefits, focus on getting K1 and K2 through diet and safe supplements for these reasons:

Proven Benefits: K1 and K2 have well-documented advantages for blood clotting, bone density, and heart health based on extensive research.
Established Safety: K1 and K2 have a long history of safe use, with deficiency being a greater concern than toxicity from dietary intake.
Dietary Sources: Eating foods rich in K1 and K2 is a natural way to maintain adequate levels.

Conclusion

The difference between dietary vitamin K (K1 and K2) and synthetic vitamin K5 is important. K1 and K2 have scientific backing for blood clotting, bone health, and heart function, while K5 is a research chemical with experimental uses not for dietary consumption. There are no established benefits to taking K5 as a supplement, and it is not recommended due to safety concerns with synthetic variants. For health, focus on a diet with natural K1 and K2 sources. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting supplements. For more on vitamin K benefits, refer to resources from the National Institutes of Health.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any health decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, vitamin K is a general term for a family of compounds. While K1 and K2 are natural forms found in food and supplements, K5 is a synthetic compound used exclusively in a research context, not for dietary intake.

You should not buy or take vitamin K5 as a dietary supplement. It is a synthetic chemical used for research and manufacturing purposes, and its safety for human consumption is not established.

The proven health benefits of vitamin K, referring to K1 and K2, include regulating blood clotting, promoting bone mineralization for stronger bones, and preventing arterial calcification to support heart health.

The best sources include leafy green vegetables for vitamin K1, while vitamin K2 is found in fermented foods like natto, as well as egg yolks, certain cheeses, and meat.

Distinguishing K5 from K1 and K2 is crucial for safety. The known health benefits apply only to the natural forms, and synthetic variants can carry unknown risks or toxicity, as seen with vitamin K3.

The risks of taking synthetic forms like K5 include potential toxicity and unknown side effects, as these compounds have not been evaluated for dietary safety. Unlike K1 and K2, their use is not medically established for human consumption.

Yes, you should always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement, including vitamin K. This is especially important for those taking blood-thinning medications, as vitamin K can interfere with their effects.