Which Version Of K2 Supplement ?

Everyday living
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Just wondering if anyone takes a Vitamin K2 supplement ?

Reason for asking is that apparently if taking high dose D3 then due to the way the body uses the D3 it also requires Vitamin K, and K2 is supposed to be the better one.

I dont really understand the technical side but it does look like a supplement of Vitamin K (preferably K2) should be taken if on D3.

I’ve been reading up on the net most of the day about K2 and it looks as though theres a bit of a mixed opinion on whether your K2 supplement should be the MK-4 version or MK-7 ?

Many sites say a combination of both is best but I cant find a Vitamin K2 sold in the UK that has both versions, its either K2 MK-4 or K2 MK-7.

Apparently its the MK-4 version of K2 that is most found in the brain and seems to be the best choice for something like MS.

From what I’ve read which ever version of K2 is chosen it’s a definite yes if taking D3.

Heres 2 of the many sites I’ve looked at.

articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/03/26/the-delicate-dance-between-vitamins-d-and-k.aspx

emediahealth.com/2012/06/03/vitamin-k2-deficiency-may-have-role-in-neurological-diseases-including-parkinsons-alzheimers-and-multiple-sclerosis/

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Nobody taking Vitamin k then ? That does surprise me. Especially as all advice I’ve read recommends Vitamin K if taking D3, which I’m sure many of us are.

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hiya

i saw your post but…

there are folk already trained and have studied in vitamins-its not ur gp or neuro!

maybe homeopath or osteopath would discuss it with you? maybe even a pharmacist?

for me i decided on vitb12 route-not vit d. sometimes theres too much info out there!

i still believe the bottom line is that ms takes what it wants!

ellie

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I take Vit D3 and began to take Vit K with it after I read it was beneficial to take both. I used Healthy Origins Vit K2 MK7. I got it online. Have recently run out so need to get some more.

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I bought a small bottle (with its own dropper style top). I don’t know what the benefit is & only took it cos advised to do so at the local Health Shop to supplement the digestion of other vitamins. I put 1 drop into breakfast cereal or a glass of juice. When it ran out, I must say I felt no difference in my health, fatigue & pain remained, so I haven’t replaced it. But… I have a great reaction to One Day Biotin 10,000m.

Chrissie

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@ Crissie52,

In what way does the Biotin help ?

I’m not sure if taking Vitamin k, will help with any MS symptoms directly, I think it’s more to do with combining it with D3 if the D3 is taken at high dosages.

Heres one of the many write up I found.

"The K question – concerns calcium

Should vitamin D be taken with Vitamin K?

And if so, why?

It is true that taking vitamin D in combination with high dose calcium supplements without taking vitamin K – or the leafy green vegetables that contain vitamin K – could theoretically cause a health issue.

Here’s how.

Vitamin D helps take calcium from your food as digested in the gut to the blood, to be utilised, not just for healthy bones and teeth, but for muscle and nerve function.

Vitamin K is involved in a process that takes calcium from the blood (via a protein called osteocalcin), to be used to mineralise (i.e. build) bones. It is also important in the production of collagen.

Without vitamin K, calcium can be deposited, not in bones, but in soft tissue like arteries, veins and skin. And that can cause problems that include hardening of the arteries, calcification of blood vessels and kidney disease.

In other words, it is possible that high levels of vitamin D, without vitamin K, could lead to calcium being deposited where it is not wanted."

I’ve been taking 5000iu of D3 for nearly 5 years, on the advice of my neuro, a few weeks ago I had to be admitted to hospital with kidney stones, the urologist said its ​probably a calcium build up in tissues due to high dosages of D3.

So the above write up does seem to have some substance to it.

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Very true, and also very true about too much info out there.

It’s bloody mind boggling.

I do wonder why neuros almost immediately advise on taking D3 but dont then follow up with saying we should also take Vitamin K alongside it to counter act the effects of high dose D3, because thats basically the reason for taking the K alongside D3.

I know that they (neuros) think there might be a link between MS and lack of D3, hence reason for advising to take it, but I also think that if they recommend taking D3 at high dosages they should also follow up with how the high dose of D3 might cause issues further down the line, hence the link between D3 & Vitamin K.

It seems well documented on the net at least that K is needed if on high dosages of D3.

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“It is true that taking vitamin D in combination with high dose calcium supplements without taking vitamin K – or the leafy green vegetables that contain vitamin K – could theoretically cause a health issue.” Are you taking high dose calcium supplements then, because the Barts Blog is clear this isn’t necessary. “I never tell my patients that this will improve or help their MS; we say it may do but the real reason for being vD replete is to improve, or maintain, your bone health. Please note we do not recommend calcium supplementation in parallel with vD supplementation. As far as we are concerned there is no reason for pwMS to take calcium supplements unless they have thin bones (osteopenia or osteoporosis). If you are taking moderate or high-dose vD and calcium supplements together you will need to have your calcium levels monitored (please discuss this with your doctor).” Multiple Sclerosis Research: #ClinicSpeak & #ResearchSpeak: what dose of vitamin D? The NHS site claims we should be getting enough vitamin k from a decent diet and green leafy vegetables are a good source. Vitamins and minerals - Vitamin K - NHS Perhaps a chat with a suitably qualified dietician will provide clarification.

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No I dont take calcium supplements only the D3.

From what I can gather and how a urologist explained it was the D3 in high doses can increase calcium levels in the body, that can then get absorbed in tissues, which I guess is the problem (I’m no Doctor).

But by taking Vitamin K it basically routes the calcium to the correct places, bones, teeth. I think thats how it works?

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Maybe this will help explain from the Vitamin D Council site. Vitamin D Council | The synergistic relationship between vitamin D and vitamin K

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This is the approach to vitamin k suggested on the http://www.vitamindprotocol.com/ site and worth reading it all, although I suspect you have probably seen it already. I can’t speak from personal experience and only take 10,000iu of Vd3 in Winter, which you can get from half an hour of sun in summer and not really considered high. I hope you find the answers you seek. “Vitamin K2 We suggest consuming about 90-100 mcg of vitamin K2 [MK-7 form] daily and some researchers are suggesting as much as 180-200 mcg daily. A recent report from Osteoporosis International showed that the optimal dose of Vitamin K2 as MK-7 to decrease inactive osteocalcin was 180 mcg/day. We believe this may become more critical when taking much higher daily doses [more than 10,000 I.U.s daily] of vitamin D3. You should at least take K2 several times a week, but preferably once a day. A vitamin K rich diet includes lots of cabbage, kale, spinach, Swiss Chard, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, soybean oil, wheat bran and sauerkraut. We are now suggesting that you try to include both the MK-4 [this is the form made naturally by our bodies] and the MK-7 made from natto [a fermented soybean] or fermented chickpeas if you can. Vitamin K research is in it’s infancy and we’ll be keeping our eyes and ears wide open.”

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Once again whammel, very helpful .

Thanks.

I think I’m fairly convinced that Vitamin K2 should be taken if also taking D3 long term.

As you probably know Vit K comes in many forms, but apparently its best taken in the K2 version and preferably MK4 & Mk7 combined, but finding a product in the UK with both MK4 & MK7 combined is difficult, it seems to be one or the other !

They are available from the States and other overseas countries but the cost is expensive.

Probably cheaper to buy the versions separately over here.