Vitamin K: High Doses of MK-4 and MK-7 Show Promising Results

@osteoprob48 That doesn't mean you shouldn't consider taking MK-4 and MK-7, as there is no harm in taking the high doses. Sadly, nutrition and vitamins as treatments are not studied as much in the U.S. as they are in other countries.

I have fibromyalgia and was helped tremendously by LDN low-dose naltrexone which is not FDA-approved for fibromyalgia. However, it is used off-label and prescribed for this condition despite the lack of official approval. Studies have shown it helps many people with fibromyalgia and other inflammatory diseases.

There are even some studies that indicate LDN could help with osteoporosis. This article says: "Our results suggest that naltrexone increases bone mass due to osteoblast number increments caused by the OGFR signaling block. Opioid receptor blockers have potential as therapeutic agents for osteoporosis as well as opioid antagonists."
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0024320519302395

@osteoprob48 I also see it as @daisy17 describes above. MK4 and MK7 are supplements. There will never be great RCT research trials on Vit K because there is nothing that can be patented to get back the money from big expensive research.

Here is a good research overview from 2022:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35711002/
EXCERPT: "Conclusion: This meta-analysis and systematic review seemed to support the hypothesis that vitamin K2 plays an important role in the maintenance and improvement of BMD, and it decreases uc-OC and increases OC significantly at a long-term follow-up. Vitamin K2 supplementation is beneficial and safe in the treatment of osteoporosis for postmenopausal women."

I too heard it could not be recommended b/c it was not FDA approved as a medication. Is the FDA even looking at it at this time is a question. And, does that negate the benefit seen from the various studies that indicate its benefit?

Point taken. Thank you.

@osteoprob48 I read this on-line: "The FDA doesn't recommend vitamins as treatments because dietary supplements, including vitamins, are not approved by the FDA to treat or prevent diseases. Instead, they are regulated as food products, which means their safety and effectiveness are not evaluated before they are marketed."

So I would say that the FDA is not looking into any benefits Vitamin K may offer to help osteoporosis, in the MK-4 and MK-7 forms. I don't think their non-approval negates possible benefits. Japan has done studies on MK-4 which showed promising results. Here is one article:
https://osteoporosis-studies.com/low-dose-mk-4-for-a-year-maintains-bone-density-and-improves-bone-quality-in-postmenopausal-japanese-women/
Here is what I take: 180mcg Menaquinone-7 (MK7) - TrueVantage brand and
45,000 mcg (45 mg) of vitamin K2 (menaquinone-4) - Life Extension K2 High Potency brand

@bethieb I have minimal equipment since I'm starting slow. I started with 2 water bottles (1 lb each), then I bought 2 lb weights at Walmart. I also have (from my husband) 3 lb. 5 lb. 12 lb weights. I just progressed to using 3 lb weights. I bought the red Theraband to start but I think I'll get the green band now since the red has become too easy for me. I also bought the yoga blocks and a yoga mat Dr Lisa recommended and I recently bought the exercise band with handles and a door anchor as well. Overall the cost has been reasonable but I did pay for the Level 1 program since without a really detailed and structured program, I know I would just give up. Her free videos are excellent also. I exercise in my bedroom where I have a full length mirror so I can check my form. My yoga mat slides under my bed for storage and all my other equipment I keep on my dresser or a chair since I'm only using a set of 3 lb weights, the bands, door anchor, and yoga blocks. It's really not that much equipment and I buy everything on Amazon. Plus you can check Dr. Lisa's Amazon store to see what she uses/recommends in her videos.

Sounds like you're building a good program at home with good progression following Dr. Lisa. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you.

@osteoprob48
It is not a meditation. It’s a vitamin that works with vitamin d and calcium. I have been taking Vitamin K2 MK-7 for years. I had a CT heart scan last month that showed zero calcification in the arteries leading to my heart. This is a rare finding for someone in my age group. Only 10% of people my age have a zero result.

I have been taking K2 MK-7 for years with my regular daily vitamins including Vitamin D and calcium. I had a CT heart scan to check for calcification in the arteries. My score was zero. Only 10% of patients my age have a zero score. But it’s not uncommon for patients 50 and under to have a zero score.

I have been taking K2 MK-7 to maintain smooth, flexible arteries. It didn’t help with osteoporosis in my case. Allen I started taking it I was concerned about heart disease. I had many tests during chemo — stress testing, echocardiograms — because the chemo drug I was prescribed causes heart damage. My tests were always good — no damage. But I do have osteoporosis which was worsened because I am on Anastrozole.