Preventing Fractures is the Goal

Q: Does Osteo-K contain MK4?

Yes, plus other important nutrients for bone health. Each six capsules of Osteo-K contain 45 mg of MK4, a form of vitamin K2, 1000 mg calcium (citrate) and 2000 units Vitamin D3.

Q: Who created Osteo-K?

Osteo-K and Osteo-K Minis are bone support dietary supplements. Physicians from Harvard, Cornell, MIT, and Bastyr created them. After years of Dr. Steve Pieczenik’s wife taking Fosamax with no benefit and experiencing painful side effects, and after Dr. Neustadt’s frustrations with his own mother-in-law’s bone health, they began researching natural ways women and men can promote their bone health.

Q: How is Osteo-K different from other bone support formulas?

Osteo-K is the only bone support supplement that contains the amount (45 mg) and form of vitamin K (MK4), plus calcium and vitamin D, shown in clinical trials to promote healthy bone density and maintain strong bones.

Q: Is Osteo-K gluten free?

Yes.

Q: Are the Osteo-K capsules vegetarian?

Yes. All our capsules are 100% vegetarian cellulose capsules.

Q: Why doesn’t Osteo-K contain strontium?

For several reasons. First, clinical trials show that MK4 maintains bone strength better than strontium. Second, strontium decreases calcium absorption, which is an essential nutrient. Third, the form of strontium used in all the clinical trials is strontium ranelate. Currently, strontium ranelate is only available in Europe. Strontium in the US is available as strontium citrate, which has never been studied and shown to decrease fractures. Finally, strontium interferes with bone density scans and provides false results. The question of strontium and bone health is a good one, but the research at this time supports MK4 over strontium.

Q: Should I take Osteo-K?

If you are concerned about your bone health, and are not taking Coumadin (warfarin), you should take Osteo-K.

Q: Can everyone take Osteo-K?

No. People taking warfarin (Coumadin) cannot take Osteo-K because the vitamin K in the dietary supplement will interfere with the warfarin.

Q: Does Osteo-K interact with any other dietary supplements?

No. However, if you are taking different dietary supplements that also contain vitamin D and minerals, there is always a risk of taking too much vitamin D and too many minerals at the same time. Taking too many minerals can cause a watery diarrhea, technically called osmotic diarrhea. Simply taking Osteo-K away from other dietary supplements can correct this situation. If taking more than 100 mcg (4000 IU) vitamin D daily. Vitamin D blood level monitoring is recommended.

Q: Does Osteo-K replace my calcium supplement?

Yes. Because Osteo-K combines three of the most important micronutrients needed for bone health into one formula. It’s the only bone support dietary supplement you need.

Q: Do I need to take extra vitamin D if I’m taking Osteo-K?

Only if your doctor has prescribed higher amounts of vitamin D than what is in Osteo-K. The total daily recommended amount (six capsules total divided into two servings) of Osteo-K contains 2,000 units of vitamin D3.

Q: Will the MK4 in Osteo-K interact with heparin?

No. MK4 does not interact with heparin.

Q: If I’m taking aspirin, can I still take Osteo-K?

Yes. None of the ingredients in Osteo-K, including MK4, interfere with the effects of aspirin.

Q: If I’m taking warfarin (Coumadin), can I still take Osteo-K?

No. Vitamin K, which is in Osteo-K, will interfere with warfarin (Coumadin). Warfarin works to prevent blood clots by blocking how the body uses vitamin K to form blood clots. Taking vitamin K while taking warfarin overrides this mechanism and makes warfarin less effective. People taking warfarin absolutely cannot take Osteo-K.

Q: Can I take Osteo-K with my osteoporosis medication?

Yes. The ingredients in Osteo-K are safe to take with osteoporosis medications.

Q: Does Osteo-K contain MK4?

Yes. Osteo-K contains the amount of MK4 used in clinical trials, plus calcium and vitamin D3.

Q: What is MK4 and how does it work?

MK4 is a form of vitamin K2 and the principal ingredient in Osteo-K. MK4 works by activating genes involved in promoting bone health through the formation of bone collagen and bone mineralization. These genes include growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), Stanniocalcin, Tenascin-c and bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2). Only MK4 has been shown to activate all these genes.

Q: Has MK4 been shown to maintain bone strength?

Yes. In clinical trials MK4 (45 mg/day when taken in divided doses) has been shown to be an important nutrient for bone health. More than 25 clinicals trials with over 7000 volunteers conclude that MK4 (45 mg/day) maintains strong bones.

Q: Is MK4 a drug?

No. MK4 is a naturally occuring form of vitamin K2 and is a dietary supplement. It has not been approved by the FDA to prevent, treat or cure any disease.

Q: Is 45 mg of MK4 safe?

Vitamin K is important for healthy blood clotting. However, taking extra vitamin K does not increase your risk. Studies have shown that taking in excess of even 135 mg/day of MK4 does not increase blood clot risk. That’s because once the body has enough vitamin K for normal clotting, it cannot use more. NOTE: If you are at increased risk of blood clots and are taking warfarin (Coumadin), MK-4 counteracts the intended action of this medication.

Q: How does MK4 compare with MK7?

MK4 and MK7 are forms of vitamin K2. The health benefits of MK4 have been researched for more than thirty years and it’s the most-studied form of vitamin K2 for bone health. Only MK4 has been shown to maintain strong bones; support brain, liver and immune health; and promote healthy bone marrow and blood cell production.

Q: How does MK4 compare with strontium?

MK4 clinical trials compared to strontium clinical trials showed that MK4 had a superior ability to support healthy bones.

Q: Will I maintain strong bones if I take MK4?

Studies show that MK4 can help support strong bones in clinical trials that compared people taking 45 mg per day of MK4 to people not taking MK4.