Nutricost Vitamin K2 + D3 puts 100mcg of MK-7 and 5000 IU of D3 into one daily softgel with a sunflower-oil carrier, 120 softgels per bottle, at one of the lowest cost-per-day prices in the category. No proprietary blend. No filler theater. Just the two nutrients that make each other work properly, in a format that actually absorbs.
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Health & Safety Disclaimer: Statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before use, especially if you take blood thinners or have kidney concerns.
The Spec Sheet: 100mcg MK-7, 5000 IU D3, One Softgel
One softgel a day delivers 100mcg of Vitamin K2 as MK-7 and 5000 IU of Vitamin D3 as cholecalciferol, suspended in sunflower oil for fat-soluble absorption. 120 softgels per bottle. Four months of daily coverage at the kind of price that makes the premium brands look embarrassed. This is the value play in the category, and the specs back it up.
- 100mcg Vitamin K2 (MK-7): The menaquinone-7 form, the long-acting variant with a roughly 72-hour half-life. One softgel a day keeps the signal running continuously. Not the MK-4 form that clears your system before lunch.
- 5000 IU Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol): A strong daily dose. Right for many men who work indoors or live in northern climates. Worth checking against your other D3 sources before stacking. Fat-soluble vitamins accumulate. More is not always more.
- Sunflower Oil Carrier: Both D3 and K2 are fat-soluble. They absorb in the presence of fat. The sunflower oil inside the softgel gives them a head start. Still take it with a meal. The carrier helps. It does not replace a plate of food.
- Gelatin Softgel: The shell is gelatin, glycerin, purified water, and caramel color. Not vegan. Clean and short, but animal-derived. The vegan buyer wants the Sports Research gummy version instead.
- 120 Softgels, 120 Servings: One per day. A four-month supply per bottle. Non-GMO, gluten-free, third-party tested, made in a GMP-compliant, FDA-registered facility in the USA.
The plain-English version: Most supplement companies sell you D3 and K2 in separate bottles, then charge you for two labels, two bottles, and two sets of shipping. Nutricost looked at that business model and decided not to participate. Same ingredients. One softgel. One price that does not require a spreadsheet to justify.
Why D3 Without K2 Is Half a Job
D3 pulls calcium into your bloodstream. That is its job and it does it well. The problem is D3 has no idea what to do with that calcium once it is in circulation. Without K2, the calcium goes wherever it wants. Bones if you are lucky. Arterial walls if you are not. That is not a nutrition theory. It is basic biochemistry.
- D3’s Role: Increases calcium absorption from food in the intestine. Your immune system, muscle function, and bone density all depend on D3 doing this job. Most men in office jobs do not produce enough D3 naturally.
- K2’s Role: Activates osteocalcin, which binds calcium into bone, and matrix Gla-protein (MGP), which keeps calcium out of blood vessel walls. Without active K2, those proteins sit on the bench doing nothing. That calcium you just absorbed goes wherever gravity takes it.
- Why Together: The two nutrients form a directed calcium pathway. D3 increases the supply. K2 controls the destination. Running high-dose D3 without K2 is like hiring a delivery driver and forgetting to give them the address. Packages get delivered. Just not to the right place.
Put simply: A guy who lifts heavy and takes 5000 IU of D3 daily without K2 is essentially sprinting calcium toward his skeleton with no traffic control in place. Most of it gets there. Some of it parks in the wrong neighborhood. MK-7 is the traffic control. At 100mcg per softgel, this one is staffed.
Who It’s For
This is the value-tier D3/K2 stack for the guy who wants the right nutrients at the right dose without paying a premium for a label. A few profiles fit better than others.
- The Value Buyer: Wants 100mcg MK-7 and 5000 IU D3 for as little per day as possible. Four months per bottle at a price that makes the premium brands look like they are charging for the font. This is that product.
- The Heavy Lifter Over 30: Training places mechanical stress on your skeleton. That stress is productive if the supporting nutrients are there. D3 and K2 are the two most commonly neglected pieces of that foundation. Creatine gets the press. These get the bones.
- The High-Dose D3 User: Already running 5000 IU D3 from another source. Switching to this combo softgel adds K2 without adding another bottle to the cabinet. Cabinet real estate is not free.
- The Clean-Label Minimalist: Wants a short inert list and no proprietary blends. Sunflower oil and gelatin softgel. That is the entire other-ingredients section.
Skip it if you are:
- Vegan: Gelatin shell. Not negotiable. The Sports Research vegan gummy version is the right call.
- On blood thinners: K2 can affect how warfarin works. Talk to your doctor before adding this. That conversation is not optional.
- Already stacking high D3 elsewhere: Check your multi, your fish oil, and your D3 supplement before adding another 5000 IU. D3 accumulates. More is not always better. Confirm the right total with a professional.
Pros and Cons
The Advantages
- Best cost-per-day in the category: 120 softgels at a price most competitors cannot match without cutting something.
- MK-7, not MK-4: The long-acting form. One softgel covers a full 24 hours and then some.
- Sunflower-oil carrier: Built-in fat for fat-soluble absorption. Take it with food for full effect.
- Clean label: Two actives, four inerts. Nothing to decode.
- Third-party tested: GMP-compliant, FDA-registered facility, verified for potency and purity.
The Trade-offs
- Not vegan: Gelatin softgel. Animal-derived shell.
- 5000 IU is a high dose: Right for many. Too much for anyone already stacking D3 from multiple sources.
- Blood-thinner interaction: K2 requires a doctor conversation if you take warfarin or similar.
- No MCT or coconut oil: Sunflower oil carrier is solid. Coconut MCT may absorb slightly better for some. Personal call.
The Field: How It Stacks Up
Price, form, and sourcing separate the D3/K2 shelf. Pick the column that matters to you.
| Product | Form | D3 / K2 | Vegan | Core Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nutricost K2+D3 | Gelatin Softgel | 5000 IU / 100mcg | No | Lowest cost per day, 4-month supply |
| Sports Research Gummies | Vegan Gummy | 5000 IU / 100mcg | Yes | Best for vegans, pill-fatigued buyers |
| Sports Research Softgel | PlantGel Softgel | 5000 IU / 100mcg | Yes | Vegan, coconut MCT carrier |
| Thorne D3+K2 Drops | Liquid | Variable / MK-4 | Yes | Precise dose control, minimal ingredients |
Nutricost wins on price and supply duration. Sports Research wins on vegan certification and brand testing depth. Thorne wins on dose flexibility. If you are not vegan and the main priority is cost-per-day, the choice here is straightforward.
FAQ
- How many softgels per day?
- One softgel daily with 8 to 12 oz of water. Best taken with a meal that has some fat. The sunflower oil carrier helps, but a full meal seals the deal on absorption.
- Why does K2 need to be MK-7?
- MK-7 has a roughly 72-hour half-life. One daily softgel keeps the signal active around the clock. MK-4, the other common form, clears your system in about an hour. It works, but you would need multiple doses a day to match what MK-7 does in one.
- Is 5000 IU of D3 too much?
- Depends on your baseline and what else is in your stack. D3 is fat-soluble and accumulates. If your multi and fish oil already carry D3, add those up before adding another 5000 IU. When in doubt, confirm the right amount with a healthcare professional.
- Can I take this if I am on blood thinners?
- Talk to your doctor first. K2 can affect how warfarin works. If you take anticoagulant medication, that is a conversation to have before adding K2 to your daily stack.
- Is it third-party tested?
- Yes. Nutricost states this product is third-party tested and manufactured in a GMP-compliant, FDA-registered facility in the USA. Non-GMO and gluten-free.
Final Verdict: The Value King of the D3/K2 Shelf
Nutricost K2+D3 is the simplest, cheapest way to run MK-7 and high-dose D3 together in one daily softgel. Four months per bottle, sunflower-oil carrier, clean label, third-party tested. If you are not vegan and cost-per-day is the priority, nothing in this category beats it. Confirm the live price at the link.
100mcg MK-7. 5000 IU D3. One Softgel. Four Months.
The two nutrients that make each other work, in one capsule, at the price point that makes the premium brands uncomfortable. Simple is underrated.
*Price and formula subject to change. Verify on the live listing. Statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
The Lexicon: K2 + D3 Edition
- MK-7 (Menaquinone-7)
- The long-acting form of Vitamin K2. Roughly 72-hour half-life. Built for once-daily dosing. The standard for D3/K2 combo supplements that actually work around the clock.
- MK-4 (Menaquinone-4)
- The short-acting form of K2, found in animal foods. Clears in about an hour. Effective but requires frequent intake. Not the form used here.
- Osteocalcin
- A protein produced by bone-building cells. K2 activates it. Once active, it binds calcium into the bone matrix. Without K2, osteocalcin sits unactivated and the calcium stays in circulation.
- Matrix Gla-Protein (MGP)
- A K2-dependent protein in vascular tissue. When activated by K2, it inhibits calcium from depositing in arterial walls. The reason K2 is relevant for more than just bones.
- Fat-Soluble Vitamin
- A vitamin that dissolves in fat, not water. D3 and K2 are both fat-soluble. They need dietary fat to absorb properly. The sunflower oil in this softgel is the built-in assist.
