Ask Dr. Mike: Oxidizing Supplements, Vitamin K2 & Do Supplements & Vitamins Deteriorate Over Time?

Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans.

Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:

I read from your website to take fish oil and put it in a bowl to help it get oxidized and take some of the smell away. You said that all fats are like that and have a stability question to them. I was refrigerating my Nordic Natural omega-3's for a long time and according to Nordic Natural, it's not necessary to do that. What do you recommend?

You are using a great product and there's no reason to change. Personally, Dr. Mike believes there are two other important ingredients to have in addition to omega-3s. They are: sesame lignans and olive oil.

I've been taking Vitamin K2 for my bone health, but Life Extension has said "If you're taking anticoagulants such as Coumadin, please consult with your physician before taking supplemental vitamin K." I also remember listening to one of your shows on RadioMD where you also said something like taking vitamin K2 is for those taking blood thinners. However, I'm taking Vitamin K2 to make my bones stronger. What exactly is Vitamin K2? Is it for bone health or blood health?

What Dr. Mike means by those taking blood thinners and vitamin K2 is that vitamin K2 is a safe form of vitamin K for people on blood thinners to take.

Life Extension had that statement on their website as a standard disclaimer. Dr. Mike wants you to talk to you doctor about taking vitamin K2.

Do vitamins or any other supplements deteriorate over time? For instance, I took a glucose support product from 2013 for my sugar levels. It worked for a little while but then it stopped. I then switched to a cinnamon extract, and that worked for a while but no longer seems to be working. I am wondering if I should be switching my supplements from time to time?

There are many other questions that Dr. Mike has, for instance, what made you start taking a glucose support pill, what is your lifestyle like, etc. If truly nothing changed and the product wasn't working as well, Dr. Mike suggests doubling the dose, even if just every other day.

Following up with a blood test is a great way to see if a supplement or medication is truly working or not.

If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.