Vitamin K2 supplement

[Lisieux]

Hi there... Does anyone know what the consensus is on taking a Vitamin K2 supplement? Is it recommendable to add it to Fosamax, plus calcium, plus D? So many different things.... but at least we're trying to do our part to slow down the progress of this disease right? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also, how much should one take daily.... doctors don't usually recommend this vitamin, only calcium +D. But from what I've read here, it looks like it's important to take as well. Have a lovely day!

[Mark_ABH]

Hi Lisieux. There isn't much of a *consensus* on Vitamin K2 at this point. There are those who think it's very important and requires supplementation, and there are those who are more cautious about it.

Here are a couple recent studies:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/235... (supports low-dose supplementation to slow age-related decline in bone density)

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/304... (links vitamin K insufficiency and poor bone health)

Here's some more conservative input from nutrition guru Dr. Taylor Wallace, from 2001:

Vitamin K involved in blood coagulation and bone metabolism. The adequate intake (AI) for men and women as defined by the U.S. Institute of Medicine is 120 and 90 µg/day, respectively . Research on vitamin K in relation to bone health is premature; however many dietary supplement products currently exist on the U.S. market. There is little to no existing evidence suggesting that vitamin K2 has a greater effect on bone health outcomes as compared to vitamin K1. There are 14 different forms of vitamin K2; all 14 forms show differences in bioavailability and where they are stored in the body. The most common form of vitamin K2 sold on the market for bone health is menaquinone-7. This form has a greater likelihood of contributing to blood coagulation and has a lack of long-term safety data. Consumers should balance the benefits versus risks of taking high levels of vitamin K, as most studies to date have reported null outcomes in relation to bone health. Results from clinical trials reporting benefit of vitamin K in regards to bone health have been unable to be reproduced. Since vitamin K2 is not well characterized in the food supply, current population based studies do not provide useful data on the safety or health outcomes of vitamin K2 from food sources.

Small clinical trials do consistently show that consuming recommended levels of vitamin K has the ability to slow coronary calcification; however no study to date has shown that one form of vitamin K is superior to another in this regard.

[Lisieux in reply to Mark_ABH]

Thanks Mark, I guess I'll stick to calcium + D. This is a difficult road for all of us dealing with osteoporosis.... with no effective medications out there, we just have to trust that we won't get worse. Blessings.

[Mark_ABH in reply to Lisieux]

I suppose it depends on what you consider effective. Osteoporosis medications are shown to reduce fracture risk by 40%-70%. I understand concerns about side effects, but you have to balance relatively low risk of that with risk of fracture that is basically a coin flip. I'm certainly not here to prescribe medications, so I would advise you to follow carefully the advice of your physician.

[Smollyholly in reply to Lisieux]

Hi Lisieux I’m new on this forum I’ve been taking 900mgs Gabapentin for neuropathic pain for 2 years and now Have osteoporosis in my Lumbar spine I did not know that was a side affect My GP has prescribed Adcal-D3. (2500mgs) daily plus 70mgs Fosomax once a week I am very concerned about the side affects of Oral fosomax but will have to take it The IV Fosomax is more likely to give osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Vitamin K2 is in rhubarb so I’ve started stewing it and take a small amount daily I found the extra calcium & vit D does make a difference I read somewhere that vitamin k2 makes the calcium go into the bones rather than your blood

[Hidden]

fosamax is very dangerous you need to eat greens meats vit K2 is in several foods esp fermented ones and it is so good for bones plus you must do strength training use a weight vest as that works out your entire body all at once see the nyk one for osteoporosis it will strengthen bones all at once as you walk nykweightvest its online for arms try dumbells or you can use cans of veggies that are heavy if you dont want to invest in the barbells.

start today and in less than a yr women have reversed osteo problems

good luck

[Lisieux in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the tips. I know Fosamax has a lot of side effects, but so do the other injections and meds for osteoporosis. It seems that we don't have many choices, so I opted for this one. My doctor wanted to put me on Prolia but I've heard so many horror stories on this one that I decided to just got with Fosamax. The first year I got diagnosed I was at -2.5 on my spine and decided not to take anything, only Bone Up, good diet and exercise.... the next year it got to -3, so I had to get on something.... so that's my story.... it hasn't been easy for me.... Hope all is well. Blessings!

[Nomester2 in reply to Lisieux]

Same thing happened to me. I was taking Bone-Up and lots of calcium in diet but wasn't taking an equal amount of magnesium to calcium, and my osteoporosis just got worse. Did some research and gave up calcium supplements as I believe they were causing bone spurs, but that's just me. Here's my current regimen and in a few years at next bone test I'll know if it's working: Puroast low acid coffee with Calciblend & baking soda (making sure the coffee is acid-neutral with testing strips), plus these daily supplements: boron 30 mg, magnesium glycinate 800 mg, vitamin K2 (MK-7) 200 mcg, vitamin D3 4000 IU, lots of dietary calcium in predigested form (yogurt, cheese); also xylitol as a sugar replacement, which has the blessings of my dentist.

[Hidden]

Hi Lisieux I am a huge fan of K2 and try to get it in my food as opposed to pill form I feel this way it will be utilized better by the body so I include lots of grass fed butter and sour foods also fermented is great ... delicious and bone strong stuff for sure then I do my weight walk every day in my nykweightvest.com find it online, its very reasonable in price and cute looking with proper amount of weights in the right area for comfort in women who walk. Get strong and take care.

[Poodles4mom]

Hi Lisieux I am glad to see that you are taking Bone Up!! I don't see many people mention it but I think it is well balanced and appears to be well researched. I have osteoporosis myself, but I have a cousin who, upon learning that I have osteoporosis, recommended it to me. It helped her get out of osteopenia. I have had two Prolia injections thus far, as well.

[Mark_ABH]

Good conversation, everyone! We are working on an article for the American Bone Health website with updated information on Vitamin K2 as it is a hot topic lately. Hoping to have that ready to share later this summer!

[Lisieux]

Hi there, when I was diagnosed with osteoporosis last year, I started taking Bone Up and nothing else, hoping that it would be enough to slow down the progression, however, after the second dexa scan showed worst results, I stopped taking Bone Up because I figured it didn't work. I got on fosamax and am just taking regular Citracal.... I kinda gave up on the calcium thing and supplements, etc., Does Kambucha have vitamin K? I haven't tried it but it's fermented, so it might. As for sour stuff.... you mean yogurt? or what kind of sour foods? I do have a weighted vest, but it's different than the one applehead7 mentioned. That one looks very nice, I may get myself one of those babies. I also joined a boot camp and am doing weight bearing exercises... hoping for the best.... and wishing many blessing to you all.... Looking forward to the Vitamin K2 article. : )

[Poodles4mom]

Lisieux, I am being advised two directions, as I am having Hyperparathyroidism with elevated calcium and Parathyroid Hormone, which can create osteoporosis on its own. i was just told by my RA Dr that I should just not take any calcium right now, and we will get more blood work again soon.

I would be grateful to be able to get some bone replaced by stopping Hyperparathyroidism, but that is a rather lengthy study to determine. I have had what is called a Sestamibi Scan, which is to observe whether any of my 4 Parathyroids are enlarged with hyperplasia or Adenomas. No Adenomas were noted found, but there was no mention of possible hyperplasia. Sometimes the Sestamibi Scan is just helpful for a surgeon to find the afflicted gland.....

Just when I thought I was learning what I needed to know to deal with my osteoporosis.