Calcium products and calcification of coronary artery,

[wischo]

Hi, I had a stent in left coronary artery due to calcium deposits and narrowing on angiogram 3 years ago, all other arteries were fine. I read a lot of stuff about calcium supplements laying down calcium on your arteries causing a blockage. I had been on Calcichew daily for over 10 years prior to the stent for osteopenia and am now reluctent to take it. Asked a few GOs and some told me to ask a cardiologist so it appears they are not sure. Anyone any thoughts on this please as I rarely take this now.

[Hidden]

I'm no doctor, but this is my understanding. It could be down to a lack of vitamin K2 and/or D. Vitamin D helps your body utilise the calcium whereas K2 makes sure it is deposited in the right place (bones rather than arteries). It is my belief that taking D supplements without suitable K2 sources could be problematic.

Good sources of K2 are organ meats and fermented foods, neither of which we typically eat much of. It is believed our ancestors were very good at converting vitamin K to K2 via the gut microbiome, but Western diets have largely removed our ability to do this.

I generally respond badly to supplements, and beyond vitamin D (which can be hard to get sufficiently in northern latitudes), I try to prefer food sources for nutrients. I have also read that unless there is a specific medical reason, calcium supplements are generally not a great idea.

Obviously though, don't take this as health advice and do speak to your doctor. Unfortunately there's a good chance they won't know what K2 is.