Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone) vs Vitamin K2 (Bone Health)
Two forms of the same compound. What differs is how much of it your body absorbs, how well you tolerate it and what it costs per month.
Side by side
Green marks the better value| Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone) | Vitamin K2 (Bone Health) | |
|---|---|---|
| Bioavailability | 80% | 85% |
| Safety rating | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Cost per month | $8 | $35 |
| Daily dose | 90-120 mcg | 100-200mcg |
| Best timing | With fat meal | With fats |
| Evidence level | A | A |
Verdict
Too close to call on the numbers.
Both forms score the same on the measurable metrics. Pick by tolerance and price.
What actually differs
Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone)
Essential vitamin primarily responsible for blood clotting and found abundantly in green leafy vegetables
- Natural form
- Well-absorbed
- Safe profile
- Short half-life
- Requires fat for absorption
Vitamin K2 (Bone Health)
Essential fat-soluble vitamin that directs calcium to bones and teeth while preventing soft tissue calcification, crucial for optimal bone health and cardiovascular protection
- Optimal calcium direction
- Bone density support
- Cardiovascular protection
- Long half-life
- Warfarin interactions
- Fat-soluble absorption
- Cost
- Individual variation
How these numbers are read
- Bioavailability is the share of the dose that reaches your bloodstream — the single most useful number when choosing a form.
- Safety rating reflects tolerance at normal doses, not toxicity risk.
- Cost is per month at the typical daily dose, so a cheaper form taken at double the dose is not cheaper.
- Evidence level A means the form itself was studied, not just the parent compound.
Where to buy
Both forms deliver the same compound — pick by the numbers above, then check the label matches.
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Common questions
Which is better, Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone) or Vitamin K2 (Bone Health)?
Vitamin K2 (Bone Health) absorbs better — 85% against 80%. Absorption decides how much of the dose actually reaches you, so it usually matters more than the milligrams printed on the label.
What is the difference between Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone) and Vitamin K2 (Bone Health)?
Both deliver the same active compound. They differ in how well the body takes them up, how they are tolerated and what a month costs: $8 against $35.
Can you take Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone) and Vitamin K2 (Bone Health) together?
You can, but there is rarely a reason to. Two forms of the same compound stack the same active dose, so the usual approach is to pick the better absorbed one and dose it properly.