Experts warn those who take blood thinners not to take extra doses of vitamin K from supplements, as sudden changes in vitamin K intake can affect the way the drug works.
Dream time
Barbara Quinn Monterey Herald
Ann K., who reads this column in the Monterey Herald, writes:
“Dear Barbara, I have read your column on vitamin K. I am a 75-year-old woman who takes warfarin daily because of an arterial blood clot. I have been told not to take vitamin K. Here is my question: Can I take vitamin Are you taking? K2 for bone health and not worrying it will adversely affect my INR or cause clotting? Thank you for your answer. “
Dear Ann: First I would follow your doctor’s instructions. You know your overall health much better than I do. However, here you can find more information about vitamin K2, also known as menaquinone (MK). (Different versions of vitamin K2 include MK-4, 7, or 9.)
As I mentioned in a previous column, vitamin K is necessary to support our blood clots normally – which comes in handy when we’re injured to keep us from bleeding to death.
Warfarin has the opposite effect on blood clotting. It helps to thin the blood to prevent dangerous blood clots from certain medical conditions.
Here’s the catch: Vitamin K is an essential nutrient that our bodies need for normal function. In other words, we need a certain amount of vitamin K, which includes both K1 and K2. The appropriate intake level currently set by the Institute of Medicine is 90 micrograms per day for women and 120 micrograms per day for men.
