Vitamin K2 (MK 7) worth it ?

[Razor1967]

I was reading an article yesterday about vitamin K2 ( Mk 7), helping the slow down of blocking arteries. I have never been one for taking supplements as most don't seem to be worth it and have been discounted by various "experts". After my bypass in 2021 I did my best to lose weight, eat healthier etc and my cholesterol is now to less than 3 thanks to my medications, statins etc. I am aware of the usual disclaimer about not been doctors etc but just curious if anybody else is taking this supplement and is it worth investing in as I want to do all I can to slow down the progress of my heart disease. Thanks in advance ☺️.

[AlfredV]

I don't do well with supplements, but believe K2 is important in all forms. I try to get it from food sources, which is typically cheese and fermented products. I make my own sauerkraut, which can be an acquired taste, but is particularly nutritious.

[Razor1967 in reply to AlfredV]

Yes I have read about sauerkraut, I have a jar which I have as a side once a week. I also love cheese but am wary of the fat content so buy 50% reduced cheddar which I grate in salads and have as a toasties as a treat now and again.

[AlfredV in reply to Razor1967]

Personally I have no concern about saturated fats, but I understand your caution. The problem with jars of sauerkraut are that they will have been pasteurised, killing off all the probiotic cultures. That said, it shouldn't affect the K2 content.

[Jack2019 in reply to Razor1967]

The fermented sauerkraut is the one you need, not the kind in vinegar. So cabbage that has fermented in salt and water. Cheese is a great source, especially hard cheeses, of K2 that your body will accept as it is natural; saturated fat is important for the bodies metabolism and absorption of many vitamins etc.

[Razor1967]

As an addition it states to consult your doctor if you are on blood thinners. I stopped taking Ticagrelor back in September. I still take an Aspirin in the morning but this is an antiplatlet. Not sure if this is classed as a blood thinner because of that.

[Wingnutty]

I'm taking 200mcg K2 MK7 daily along with vitamin D3 and others. I have an artificial aortic valve and so I am on warfarin for life. I was worried that K2 might have a similar effect to K1 and reduce my INR drastically which would be very dangerous, But I have my own INR checker and tested after taking 100mcg K2 with no apparent effect on INR, then increased it to 200mcg, again with no effect on INR. I was hoping that it might improve my fitness by helping to decalcify arteries, but I never felt any better after taking it even after a couple of years. There is no real way an individual can find out if it is doing any good or not unless they can actually feel a benefit after taking it for a while. I am only taking it in hope that it is slowing down the heart disease process, but I have no way of knowing if it is working. A number of scientific papers seem to think that it is worth taking.