Why Vitamin K is Important for Seniors—and Why It Could Be a Problem
Vitamin K plays a key role in blood clotting when needed, such as after a wound or injury. It’s often called the “clotting vitamin” because it helps the liver make proteins that regulate blood clotting. For most healthy adults, getting enough of the vitamin from your diet supports bone health and may even help keep arteries cleaner by directing calcium where it belongs.
However, studies show that high doses of vitamin K supplements can interact with common blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin (Coumadin). These medications work by blocking the effects of vitamin K and preventing dangerous clots from forming. Suddenly increasing your vitamin K dose with a pill can reduce the effectiveness of the medication, which can make it easier for clots to form. Studies, including those from the American Heart Association, show that irregular or excessive intake of vitamin K can disrupt this association, raising concerns about vascular events in older adults who already have heart rhythm problems.
