Was wondering what everyone knows about this Vit K2 I have heard about K1 and assume it is for helping the blood stop in case of wounds etc I have never heard about Vit K2 and as it was mentioned here I googled it on wickapedia and was so surprised that I had not been offered it by the dr together with D3 and calcium/mg etc. Do the UK drs recommend this vit when on pred to help stop loss of bone?
It isn't suitable for everyone as it is a blood-clotting agent. If you are on blood thinners (warfarin etc) you can't take it and in some patients it can lead to thrombosis. It is most likely the cause of the DVT I had some years ago.
Denise, I have never heard of Vit K2. I will have to google it. As far as the Vit D3 and calcium/magnesium goes, I do take those to help maintain the bone I have left. I recently had a dexi scan and it came back positive for osteoporosis. Previous scans came back + for osteopenia. I told my PMD I was not interested in any calcium sparring drugs , like calcitrol or fosamax. The side effects far outway the benefits for me.
I also eat calcium rich foods and have started "gentle" exercise like walking and lifting light weights. I am trying to stay homeopathic as much as I can!
Then I definitely would not take it! I have a history of chronic thrombo embolic event and have been dx'd with Pulmonary Hypertension. I have been on Xarelto since December 2013.
TY Nefret for the 411 on this!
Christine in So California, USA.
I did realise that K1 was indicative in blood clotting and presume K2 has similar properties although the site I researched seemed more about the positive effects ie non calcification of arteries and bone building. Seems like it is still in the research area as they have said the body excretes any excess therefore no toxic effects have been found. Someone on this site has taken it although I can't find the post there are so many. There seems to be an epedemic of PMR lately and why is something the researches should be concerned about. Until about 5 years ago I had not even heard about it - maybe just didn't fit in the right age bracket then.
Also what has brought it to my attention was a friend has just been diagonised with osteoprosis and her dr who promotes more the alternative type medicines has put her on a particular type of calcium/d3/k2 concoction ( I must find out what it is called) as he said all the others offered don't work. She had been on them for 15 years and still has osteoprosis so I guess he's right. Wiki said K2 was good for vascular health and as PMR is a vasculitis - maybe we should all be tested for our levelsjust as we should be for D3??
Vit K2 isn't the form of vit K that is involved with blood clotting - vit K is a bit like the b vitamins in that there is more than one substance that is called vit K. Vit K2 helps target calcium to the right places - so encourages bone formation and discourages the deposition of calcium in the arteries to cause athersclerosis, hardened arteries as it used to be known. That is why it is said to be good for vascular health, but I don't think it would play a role as an antiinflammmatory.
Vit K1 is found in leafy vegetables whereas K2 is found in meats: chicken, beef, ham and bacon - especially when from grass-fed animals. Cheeses and butter - also deriving from grass-fed animals - and egg yolk are also good sources. Sauerkraut and natto have high levels too - and it was the use of natto in the Japanese diet that is felt to contribute to the bone health seen in Japanese women.
It is relatively recent work that has shown K2 to be different in function from K1 - and I would put money on it that it will meet with the same sort of reception as vit D has done. But when you look at where vit K2 comes from it wouldn't be surprising that the dietary recommendations for the last 30 odd years are not helping bone health: eggs were evil, we shouldn't eat butter, cheese and animal fat. All the usual sources in the western diet.
I just want to pick up on this thread within the thread: vit K2 is different from vit K1, they are two different substances and vit K2 does not have an effect on blood clotting. What is more, it is not found in the same foods. Vit K2 is mainly found in animal products - the only vegetable sources are sauerkraut and natto, a fermented soy product. Vit K1 is found in green leafy veggies - especially dark coloured ones like broccoli and spinach.
Provided a supplement is designated as K2 it won't affect your blood clotting.
TY for clearing that up, Eileen. I do eat animal products that are grain fed. And I love sauerkraut! I will have to purchase some at the market!
Eileen, I only use real butter and only the unsalted variety. I also have eggs, not just egg white almost every morning. When it comes to cheese, I am also a big fan but I do watch the sodium content and east mainly lacey swiss sliced paper thin.
I recently had a liped panel done and everything came back WNL despite my increase in things that heretofore I limited myself on. I can remeber, years ago, when the "Atkinds" diet came out people would say all the protein was not good for you. But for me, I never felt better eating that way. Now I basiclly do a modified version and do eat vegatables and some complex carbs, but nothing "white"! I have also tried to be "gluten free" and this too has impoved my overall sense of well being. I have recently lost 25#'s without really trying. I east 6-8 times a day. This is what works for me!
Just wondering about other treatments for the thin skin/bruising issue. Although I have had thin skin and easy brusing on my forearms before I was on Prednisone (probably due to sun damage), now I am bruising above the elbows (no sun damage there) on my arms when I slightly bump myself. I eat a cheese, but I doubt there is enough in that to get the Vit K2 I might need. What is natto? Can one take Vit K2 supplements? Do you think Vitamin C in addition to that might help. Am a bit reluctant to take Vit C supplement due to possible stomach issues. Also, a number of years ago, there was talk about Retin-A cream as a treatment for damaged skin. Have not seen any mention of it and wonder if it is no longer considered safe/effective. My Rheumatologist recommended Biotin to help with the thin skin.
Damaged skin is not just damaged skin if you see what I mean - there are all sorts of reasons. Retin-A was supposed to be good for all sorts of things but I have no doubt it was a bit of a fad at the time!
I'm sitting here with lovely bruises on my upper arm after carrying a heavy bag down to the campervan and the straps slipped down my arm!
If it is bruises then arnica cream can work miracles - and some people use the homeopathic pills too. It worked for several ladies - don't know how or why but the proof of the pudding is definitely in the eating!
Paula, I took Vit C for about a week and then I remembered why I don't take it....it causes me to break out in blisters on my tongue. I have this same issue with citrus fruits I do take Biotin and it has done wonders for my hair, skin and nails. But even that I have to monitor how much and how often I take it. A friend told me about an essential oil called "Injury" that you take 3 times a day in your liquid of choice. She also told me she put a few drops directly on the affected area and within a couple of days the bruising is gone! She gets it from a homeopathic pharmacist.
Christine .
Hi EileenH,
Had not thought of Arnica. It helped me once before with regular arthritis pain. Did not think if using it for bruising. Will give it a try. Thank you.
Thank you bedilia.
Have not heard of 'Injury,' I wonder whether it is Arnica based? Eileen suggested Arnica for bruising and I think I'll try that. I have not started taking the Biotin; always leery of unknown supplements, so need to read up on it. How much do you take? Vit C gave me terrible stomach ache after about a week, so stopped taking it. On the other hand, I could increase my Vit C rich food intake. There is Calcium enriched Grapefruit or Orange juice, which would be a good thing to drink, but not on an empty stomach!!.
Thanks for you helpful response..
It doesn;t list Arnica as an active ingredient. But I know it does help get rid of the awful bruising I always sem to have!
Thank you. I will look it up.