Vitamin K Coumadin and coagulation

[Guest guest]

Dr.Julian Whitaker,MD in his Newsletter, Health & Healing,August 2009

reports on some new discoveries on the effects of a fraction of Vitamin K's

effects on arterial calcification and stabilizing Coumadin's anticoagulant

effects.

 

For many years patients taking Coumadin (a blood thinning drug), have been

told to stay away from dark leafy green vegetables because they contain

Vitamin K, known to enhance clotting. This recommendation has also resulted in

a twofold increase in risk of arterial and heart valve calcification

within 3 years of starting Coumadin. There is also an increased risk of

osteoporosis.

 

Dr.Leon Schurgers,PhD of the University of Maastricht, in the Netherlands

has shown in animal studies that vitamin K not only blocked but actually

reversed Coumadin induced arterial calcification. A handfull of small human

studies demonstrate that vitamin K also stabilizes Coumadin's anticoagulant

effects and helps maintain consistent therapeutic blood levels.

 

Vitamin K is actually a group of fat soluble compounds divided into two

primary groups K1 and K2. K1 is found abundantly green in dark leafy green

vegetables. K2 is found in fatty meats,egg yolk and fermented products such as

cheese, sauerkraut and natto-the richest source. In the Rotterdam

study,vitamin K2 reduced risk of arterial calcification,heart attack and death,

while K1 had no protective effect.

 

 

Dr. Whitaker has these studies on his website _www.drwhitaker.com_

(http://www.drwhitaker.com) in the Subscriber Section, where they are password

protected.

The citations follow:

Cranenberg EC,et.al. Vitamin K: The coagulation vitamin that became

omnipotent Thromb Haemost ,2007 Jul:98(1):120-125

 

Schurgers LJ,et.al.Matrix Gla-protein the calcification inhibitor in need

of Vitamin K Thromb Haemost ,2008;100:593-603

 

Sconce E, et.al. Vitamin K supplementation can improve ability of

antcoagulation for patients with unexplained variability in response to

wafarin(Coumadin) Blood, 2007:109(6):2419-2423

Additional studies are underway, but if you are on Coumadin, you should

bring show copies of these studies to your doctor and consider supplementing

vitamin K while closely monitoring your INR.

 

Vitamin K1 is often called phytonadione or phylloquinone.

Vitamin K2 often called menaquinone, comes in two forms MK-4 (synthetic)

and MK-7. The preferred dose for anyone taking Coumadin is low dose K2

(MK-7) not to exceed 45 mcg (micrograms) per day, but make sure to have your

doctor closely monitor your INR.

 

For those not taking Coumadin the recommended dose is 100-150 mcg and if

you have osteoprosis consider even 300 mcg. They should be available at

health foood stores.

 

Arnold

 

 

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