In this Episode:
Dr. K discusses her approach to vitamin D for healthy aging, including:
- What dose of Vitamin D is likely right for most older adults
- Why she believes that most older adults should take a vitamin D supplement
- What experts such as the US Preventative Services Task Force and the American Geriatrics Society recommend
- Dr. K also addresses many common questions people have about vitamin D, including:
- What type of Vitamin D should I take?
- Do I need to have my blood level checked?
- Will Vitamin D really prevent falls or fractures?
- Will Vitamin D really prevent dementia, cancer, or premature death?
- If I’m outside a lot, do I need a vitamin D supplement?
- What should one’s vitamin D level be?
- Is a higher level of vitamin D better for you?
Related Resources:
- Vitamin D: the Healthy Aging Dose to Prevent Deficiency & FAQs
- Vitamin D Fact Sheet (for Health Professionals), from the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements
- Getting Enough Vitamin D in Later Life, from HealthinAging.org
- Choosing Wisely: 5 Treatments You Should Question
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Subject:
question about Pairing of Vitamin D3 with Vitamim K2 (MK-7)
A family member has strongly encouraging me to take Vitamin K2 (MK-7) with my daily intake of 1000 IUs of Vitamin D3 and I’ve read several articles. However, I’m looking for some definitive answer to whether this would be beneficial or not. I notice that most commercial products that combine the two contain as much as 5000 IUs of D3 + 100 mcg of K2. I’ve seen pairing of 1000 IUs of D3 with 45 mcg of K2).
What do you know about this pairing of the two vitamins? Is there valid and reliable research that would support this? My doctor recently advised me to continue taking the 1000 IUs of D3 but has not said anything about taking it with K2.
Thanks for the interesting question. Vitamin K does seem to play a role in bone metabolism, and some small studies, carried out mostly in Asia, have suggested that a person with a low Vitamin K level seem to have a higher risk for fractures. But there’s no good evidence to suggest that we should be advising Vitamin K supplementation as a mainstream treatment for osteoporosis. I would suggest to my patients to take Vitamin D and Calcium , if they’re not getting enough Calcium in their diet.