Should You Take Vitamin K and Vitamin D Together

Summary

In this video, Dr. Brad and Dr. Paul discuss the relationship between vitamin D and vitamin K2, emphasizing the potential dangers of high vitamin D doses. They explain that vitamin K2, found in foods like chicken, cheese, and natto, helps regulate calcium levels in the body, promoting bone health and potentially reducing arterial plaque. While observational studies suggest benefits, randomized control trials are lacking. They advise caution with supplements and recommend a balanced diet, suggesting K2's safety but urging skepticism without definitive evidence.

Takeaways

• 💊 Vitamin D and K2 are often discussed together, but their relationship and necessity for supplementation is complex.
• ⚠️ High doses of vitamin D can be dangerous, unlike non-fat soluble vitamins which are excreted in urine.
• 🥬 Vitamin K1 is commonly found in green leafy and cruciferous vegetables.
• 🩸 Vitamin K plays a crucial role in blood clotting, interacting with medications like Warfarin.
• 🐓 Vitamin K2, specifically MK4 and MK7, is found in foods like chicken, cheese, butter, eel, and fermented soy products like natto.
• 📉 The natural sources of Vitamin K2, particularly in animal products, are decreasing due to changes in animal diets.
• 🚫 There is no reliable test for vitamin K2 levels in the blood.
• 🦴 Vitamin K2 helps regulate calcium in the body, promoting its absorption into bones and reducing it in the bloodstream.
• 🔬 While there are potential benefits of K2 for bone health, especially in postmenopausal women, its effects on arterial health are less clear.
• 💼 The vitamin K2 supplement industry is large and growing, but lacks definitive proof from randomized control trials.
• 🥗 A healthy diet rich in green leafy vegetables and fermented foods is a safer and potentially more effective approach than supplementation.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video?

The video discusses vitamin D and vitamin K, their functions, and the potential benefits and safety of taking them as supplements.

What are the potential dangers of taking large doses of vitamin D?

Large doses of vitamin D can be dangerous because it is a fat-soluble vitamin that can accumulate in the body, unlike water-soluble vitamins that are excreted in urine.

What is the difference between vitamin K1 and K2?

Vitamin K1 is commonly found in green leafy vegetables and is associated with blood clotting. Vitamin K2 has different subtypes like MK4 and MK7, and it is involved in regulating calcium in the body.

Why should people taking warfarin be cautious with vitamin K consumption?

Warfarin, also known as Coumadin, is an anticoagulant that works by depleting vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting. High vitamin K intake can counteract the effects of warfarin.

What are some dietary sources of vitamin K2?

Dietary sources of vitamin K2 include chicken, cheese, butter, eel, natto (a fermented soy product), and fermented foods like sauerkraut.

Why is it challenging to get vitamin K2 from animal sources today?

Many animals are fed grains instead of grazing on greens, which leads to lower K2 content in their meat and dairy products.

How does vitamin K2 help regulate calcium in the body?

Vitamin K2 aids in the carboxylation of proteins like osteocalcin and Matrix GLA protein, which helps promote calcium absorption into bones and reduces calcium in the bloodstream.

What is the current evidence regarding the benefits of vitamin K2 supplements?

The evidence for the benefits of vitamin K2 supplements is primarily from observational studies, and there is a lack of randomized control trials to definitively prove their effectiveness.

Who might benefit from taking vitamin K2 and vitamin D3 together?

Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis might benefit from taking vitamin K2 and vitamin D3 together to improve bone quality and density.

What is the stance of the doctors in the video on taking vitamin K2 supplements for the average person?

The doctors suggest that the average person should proceed with caution when considering vitamin K2 supplements, as there is no definitive evidence that they are better than a healthy balanced diet.

Why are there no large randomized control trials for vitamin K2 supplements despite the industry's size?

The absence of large randomized control trials could indicate that supplement companies are not confident in the results proving the effectiveness of their products.