While supplements can offer various health benefits, combining certain ones may pose unexpected risks. Some supplement pairings can increase the likelihood of blood clots or contribute to kidney damage, especially when taken in high doses or without medical supervision. Understanding these potential dangers can help you make safer choices for your health.
We spoke with pain management doctor Sean Ormond to learn about two supplements that should be taken with caution, as they may increase the risk of blood clots and kidney issues. According to him, combining vitamins E and K is one to watch out for. Read on to learn more.
Risks of combining Vitamins E and K
Vitamin E and Vitamin K are both important to your overall health. Vitamin K helps keep your bones strong and plays an important role in blood clotting, which helps reduce bleeding. Meanwhile, Vitamin E is crucial to your vision, reproductive health, and brain health. When your body receives these nutrients directly from the food you eat, they can help support your wellbeing. However, according to Dr. Ormand, you should avoid combining high doses of these vitamins in the form of supplements.
"Vitamin E and vitamin K are both fat-soluble vitamins that can interact with each other," he explains.
"Taking high doses of both vitamins together can increase the risk of blood clots." Yikes! As one study notes, "Given both nutrients' critical involvement in coagulation, in extreme cases, this interaction can result in abnormal blood clotting."
Vitamin E has anticoagulant (blood-thinning) properties, which can increase the risk of bleeding. Vitamin K plays a key role in blood clotting, so high doses of Vitamin K could counteract the effects of Vitamin E or vice versa. If taken together in large amounts, they could disrupt the delicate balance needed for proper blood clotting issues. Additionally, both vitamins have a role in the vascular system and could indirectly affect kidney function when consumed in excess.
The bottom line
That said, this warning is usually more applicable to those taking high doses of these supplements (more than what you would get from food alone). For most people who consume these vitamins at normal levels, the risk is not significant. However, individuals on blood thinners or with kidney issues should exercise caution and consult their healthcare provider before supplementing with high doses of vitamin E and K.
