:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1782041242-37a6edc92509462c906ff6eb6c50edfd.jpg?w=780&resize=780,470&ssl=1 "What happens when you take vitamin D and K2 together?")
Key takeaways
- Vitamin D and vitamin K2 are two essential nutrients that the body uses for heart health and bone growth.
- When these vitamins are taken together, their effectiveness can be increased.
- Consult a healthcare professional before taking a new supplement to avoid potential interactions.
Vitamin D and vitamin K2 are two nutrients essential to several functions in the body. When these vitamins are taken together, they can enhance health benefits, such as improving bone strength.
Why vitamin D works even better when combined with vitamin K2
- Taking vitamin D and vitamin K2 together has potential health benefits.
- When both vitamins are at their optimal levels in the body, they benefit both bone and heart health.
- One study suggested that taking the supplements together provides more benefits than taking them individually.
- Another 2020 study found that combining vitamin K2 and vitamin D can significantly increase bone strength and total bone mineral density.
- More research is needed to understand how these vitamins work together and their benefits for bone and heart health.
What vitamin D does for your health
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin produced by the body when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. It is also obtained from foods and supplements.
Vitamin D has many benefits:
- Increases calcium absorption: An adequate amount of vitamin D is necessary for the body to properly absorb calcium in the intestine. It also helps maintain adequate levels of calcium in the blood.
- Bone growth: Vitamin D is necessary for bone growth and repair. It helps prevent rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults.
- Heart health: Vitamin D reduces inflammation. This can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Brain health:
In addition to all the benefits above, vitamin D is also involved in cell growth, immune function and glucose metabolism.
What Vitamin K2 Does for Your Health
Vitamin K2 is a type of vitamin K. It is fat-soluble and mainly made by bacteria in the intestine. It is also found in fermented foods and foods of animal origin. Vitamin K2 has many health benefits for the entire body. They include:
- Blood clotting: One of the main functions of vitamin K2 is to maintain proper blood clotting. If the blood does not clot quickly enough, there is a risk of excessive bleeding and bruising.
- Bone growth: Vitamin K2 plays a crucial role in bone growth and maintaining bone strength. Supplementation can help prevent osteoporosis.
- Protects against cardiovascular diseases: Insufficient levels of vitamin K2 can cause vascular calcification, which increases the risk of coronary heart disease.
How much vitamin D and K2 do you need each day?
Doses of vitamin D and vitamin K vary depending on a person’s age and current health. Always consult a healthcare professional for the appropriate dosage before taking a supplement.
| Recommended daily allowances (RDA) for vitamin D and vitamin K | ||
|---|---|---|
| Age group | Vitamin D | Vitamin K |
| Over 70 years old | 20 mcg (800 IU) | 120 mcg (men), 90 mcg (women) |
| 19 to 70 years (male) | 15 mcg (600 IU) | 120mcg |
| 19 to 70 years old (female) | 15 mcg (600 IU) | 90mcg |
| 14 to 18 years old | 15 mcg (600 IU) | 75mcg |
| 9 to 13 years old | 15 mcg (600 IU) | 60mcg |
| 4 to 8 years | 15 mcg (600 IU) | 55mcg |
| 1 to 3 years | 15 mcg (600 IU) | 30mcg |
| 7 to 12 months | 10 mcg (400 IU) | 2.5mcg |
| From birth to 6 months | 10 mcg (400 IU) | 2mcg |
Are vitamin D and vitamin K2 safe for me?
Taking vitamin D and vitamin K2 together, in safe doses, is generally considered safe. Potential drug interactions can occur and it is essential that anyone taking supplements is aware of them.
Common medications that may reduce the absorption of vitamins D and K2
Vitamin D and vitamin K2 can interact with several types of medications. Always talk to a healthcare professional before taking any supplement and inform them if you are already taking supplements and starting a new medication. Here are the interactions that can occur:
- Statins: Vitamin D may reduce the potency of certain types of statins, atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Altoprev and Mevacor), and simvastatin (FloLipid and Zocor).
- Thiazides: When taken with a thiazide diuretic, vitamin D can cause high levels of calcium in the blood. Diuretics decrease the amount of calcium released by the body, and vitamin D supplement increases calcium absorption.
- Warfarin: This anticoagulant reduces the effectiveness of vitamin K. Therefore, any supplementation or modification of diet would modify the ability of the drug to thin the blood.
- Antibiotics: These medications can kill vitamin K-producing bacteria in the gut.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/PattyWeaslerbiopicverywell-8c11095ed0114702838c9bbd00aa1485.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/VWH-GettyImages-1269380035-0b9fb3e5067348dfa7341e2223deacac.jpg?w=390&resize=390,220&ssl=1 "5 serious side effects of Benadryl doctors say you shouldn’t ignore")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/VWH-Coffee-vs-Energy-Drink-template-d8a27d186654453092eeb1329277abbf.jpg?w=390&resize=390,220&ssl=1 "What is the healthier source of caffeine?")