Vitamin K2 in Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica

Cyanotech CorporationDec 10 2009

Cyanotech Corporation (Nasdaq Capital Market: CYAN), a world leader in microalgae-based, high-value nutrition and health products, today announced its Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica® has achieved another nutritional first. Already the most nutritious Spirulina in the world, it is also a good source of Vitamin K2.

"The discovery of Vitamin K2 in Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica is exciting and further supports its nutritional superiority,” said Andrew H. Jacobson, President and CEO of Cyanotech. “Analytical results from an independent contract laboratory indicate that Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica provides approximately 15 mcg / 3g serving size or 19% of the Daily Recommended Value.”

Vitamin K2 is one form of Vitamin K. Although less well known, Vitamin K2 has long been linked to blood health because about half of the 16 known proteins that depend on the vitamin are necessary for blood coagulation. Recent studies cited in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reveal that Vitamin K2 can have positive effects on alleviating osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases. In bone, Vitamin K2 activates a critical protein required to bind calcium, thus strengthening the skeleton. In circulation, Vitamin K2 participates in activation of the most potent inhibitor of arterial calcification, lowering the risk of vascular damage. In addition, exciting new research is showing that Vitamin K2 may be beneficial for Alzheimer's disease, a variety of cancers, varicose veins and skin aging.

Despite its importance for blood health, many multivitamins contain very little if any Vitamin K1 or K2. Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica naturally contains sufficient Vitamin K2 (menaquinones) and Vitamin K1 (phylloquinones) to provide 75 mcg / 3g serving size or 94% of the Recommended Daily Intake, an excellent source of Vitamin K. In fact, Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica provides more Vitamin K in a 3-gram serving size (94% DV) than one cup of Romaine Lettuce or Endive (70% DV).

Mr. Jacobson concluded that, “This is a very important nutrient and confirms that Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica should be a part of healthy diets everywhere.”