Vitamin K and Xarelto?
Asking for a friend who is in her late sixties. She's on Xarelto 20 mg and was recommended an ablation. Her Vitamin D3 is 34.5 on a range of 30-100, so on the low end of the spectrum. Her nurse practitioner said to start taking Vitamin D3. My friend wants to include Vitamin K2 because research says that taking Vit D by itself can be dangerous:
"Increasing one’s intake of vitamin D without enough vitamin K can cause an increase in calcium levels without the ability to use it effectively, which raises the risk of depositing calcium in arteries and soft tissue. This is dangerous because it can lead to heart disease, heart attack and even stroke. It’s crucial that these vitamins be taken together because supplementing vitamin K with D helps the body use calcium properly to build bone instead of depositing it dangerously in arteries and soft tissue. Vitamin K actually has a protective effect on arteries, preventing buildup and therefore protecting against cardiovascular disease.
A recent study revealed a slower progression of calcification in those taking both vitamin K2 and vitamin D compared to those taking vitamin D alone. In fact, the K2 and D protected against cardiovascular calcification, while the D group alone did not."
Vitamin K has anticoagulant properties and might interact with Xarelto. What do you think is the best course of action? Her calcium score is 0 as of this April. Thank you!
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Hi @plentyle and welcome to Mayo Clinic.
Mayo Clinic actually wrote an article about Herbal supplements and heart medicines that may not mix. You can read it here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/herbal-supplements/art-20046488
Here is also another good article:" Xarelto differs from warfarin and other blood-thinning medications in its relationship with vitamin K. The explanation on the Xarelto website ..." --- Xarelto Food and Drug Interactions Guide: https://www.canadadrugwarehouse.com/blog/xarelto/xarelto-food-and-drug-interactions#3a
Is she on any other medications?