The endocrinologist talks about the pitfalls of taking popular dietary supplements
Immediately about the main thing: as a doctor, I stand in the position - all vitamins K (including K2) should be prescribed by a specialist after examinations.
I see a problem on specific peoplewho come to me with complications caused by thoughtless intake of vitamins K. This is not a dry theory, but living patients who now need treatment.
(For specialists - a more complex and knowledge-intensive explanation here)
What is vitamin K for?
- Vitamin K - a group of fat-soluble vitamins that have recently gained particular popularity.
- To date, 7 variants of this vitamin have already been found, and most likely, the process has not been completed. The most famous are:
- K1 (phylloquinone, first isolated from plant materials from alfalfa)
- K2 (menaquinone, which was originally found in fishmeal.)
All variations of vitamin K have varying degrees of effect on the blood coagulation system and one way or another, they are involved in the creation of blood clots.
Even vitamin K2, which specializes in supporting the formation of new bone tissue, calcium absorption and - attention! - blood clotting reactions.
Risk factors
- Let's list known risks of thrombosis:
- genetic predisposition,
- varicose veins
- female. Men are generally slightly better protected from thrombosis,
- oral contraceptives,
- pregnancy,
- cardiovascular and oncological diseases,
- hypodynamia,
- excess in food of simple carbohydrates and trans fats,
- alcohol, fatty and smoked foods,
- a small amount of water consumed by a person,
- Opinions are contradictory about coffee and black tea, but I am still inclined to believe that these are thickening factors primarily due to the diuretic effect.
The thoughtless addition of vitamins K can make things worse.
If this vitamin is so harmful, why is it sold together with D3 and they say that it cannot be absorbed without it?
I'm not saying harmful. I say - it is dangerous with the combination of risks of thrombosis, with accumulation and subsequent overdose.
Vitamins D3 and K2 in one tablet are the product of marketers, not doctors.
There is researchthat their combined intake reduces vascular calcification. This is true, but the effectiveness is small. There are others researchthat D3 by itself does not increase the deposition of calcium in the vessels.
Generally vascular calcification Is a complex problem that cannot be solved by taking vitamins.
Here in this article there is mention of "little collective experience with potential toxicity or side effects associated with long-term menaquinone supplementation in individuals with normal coagulation."
The experience may be small, but these are all specific people for whom K2 was contraindicated due to the risks (see above)
6. The main problem with dietary supplements is that no one monitors what exactly is in the jar. For example, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monitors drugs, but not dietary supplements.
Moreover, according to the so-called Dietary Supplement Health 1994 and Education Act of 1994), manufacturers are not required to prove that their supplements are safe or effective.
And the FDA cannot question the data published by supplement manufacturers, their claims and label information, until it does its own costly scientific research.
Meanwhile, there are disappointing figures that in about 80% of cases, the declared does not correspond to the reality.
On the websites, vitamin K is presented in different variations of K2, and here the recommended dosage from 45 to 200 mcg is more confusing.
Global guidelines provide generalized guidelines for vitamin K — for adult women, vitamin K intake ranges from 55 to 90 mcg per day and 65–120 mcg per day for adult men. These data apply only to healthy people, since these norms change for patients.
And this despite the fact that we get this vitamin with food, plus we produce it on our own.
Your Doctor Pavlova
Full version of the article
Will cost you health: The doctor has revealed the danger of the popular combination of vitamins
