Vitamin D3 + K2 Greenwhey in Paris: 2000 IU of D3 and 100 µg of K2 MK-7
Quali®-D vitamin D3 and MenaQ7® vitamin K2 in organic olive oil, at two capsules a day with a meal. Available in Paris at Herba Barona.
Two vitamins combined in the same capsule
Vitamin D and vitamin K are both fat-soluble vitamins: they dissolve in fat rather than in water. They do not have the same role, but their functions meet around the skeleton. That is why they are often found together in a single supplement, as here.
The Greenwhey formula comes down to four ingredients: vitamin D3, vitamin K2, organic olive oil as the carrier, and the plant-based shell of the capsule. No blend of ten vitamins, no colouring, no flavouring. What you read on the jar is exactly what you swallow.
Two capsules provide 2000 IU of vitamin D3, i.e. 50 µg, and 100 µg of vitamin K2. A jar of 60 capsules therefore covers 30 days of use.
What the official roles of vitamins D and K say
In Europe, the effects that may be attributed to a vitamin are governed by an official list. For vitamin D, this list states that it contributes to the maintenance of normal bones, to the maintenance of normal muscle function, to the maintenance of normal teeth, to the normal function of the immune system, to the normal absorption and utilisation of calcium and phosphorus, to normal blood calcium levels and to the process of cell division.
For vitamin K, the list retains two roles: it contributes to the maintenance of normal bones and to normal blood clotting. This second point has an important practical consequence, detailed below in the precautions.
In people aged 60 and over, a daily intake of 20 µg of vitamin D, from all sources combined, helps reduce the risk of falling associated with postural instability and muscle weakness. Falls are a risk factor for bone fractures in this age group. To go further, our article Vitamin D: why so many people in France are lacking it covers the subject.
Quali®-D vitamin D3: the form and the origin
Vitamin D exists in two main forms in supplements: D2 (ergocalciferol), of plant or fungal origin, and D3 (cholecalciferol), the one our skin makes in the sun. Greenwhey chose D3.
Here it comes from lanolin, the fat naturally present in sheep’s wool, and carries the Quali®-D label, a registered trademark that guarantees the origin and manufacturing traceability of the vitamin. This animal origin explains why the product is vegetarian but not vegan. If you are looking for a plant-based vitamin D3 made from lichen, ask us in the shop: we have several in our vitamin D3 section.
2000 IU a day is a common dose in supplements. It remains below the limit of 100 µg a day set by EFSA for adults, a limit that applies to all sources combined: food, other supplements and fortified products included.
MK-7 MenaQ7® vitamin K2: why this form
Several molecules hide under the name vitamin K. K1, or phylloquinone, is found mainly in leafy green vegetables. K2 groups the menaquinones, designated MK-4 to MK-13 according to the length of their chain. On a label, the mention “K2” alone is therefore not enough: you need to know which menaquinone is meant.
Greenwhey chose MK-7, or menaquinone-7, under the MenaQ7® brand. It is obtained by fermenting chickpeas with the bacterium Bacillus subtilis, a process close to the one that produces Japanese natto, a food traditionally rich in K2. The manufacturer states that the vitamin is double-encapsulated to protect it within the formula.
A serving of two capsules provides 100 µg, an amount commonly found in supplements that combine D3 and K2.
How to take Vitamin D3 + K2 every day
The brand recommends two capsules a day, during a meal containing fat. This is not a detail: since vitamins D and K are fat-soluble, the presence of fat in the meal helps their absorption. It is also why the formula uses olive oil as a carrier.
In practice, lunch or dinner suits better than a coffee taken alone in the morning. A dish with a drizzle of oil, some cheese, eggs, fish or a handful of nuts is enough. The capsules measure about one centimetre and are easy to swallow with a glass of water.
If you already take a multivitamin, check its vitamin D content before adding this product, so you keep an overall view of your intake. At our shop in Paris 12th, we can compare the labels with you.
Precautions: anticoagulants, pregnancy, other sources
This product is for adults only. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should ask their doctor for advice before taking it.
If you are on anticoagulant treatment of the vitamin K antagonist type, do not start this supplement without the agreement of the doctor who monitors your treatment. Vitamin K is involved in blood clotting, and an additional intake can alter the balance of these medicines.
Do not exceed two capsules a day and take into account the other sources of vitamin D you already consume. To know your vitamin D status, only a blood test for 25-hydroxyvitamin D is reliable, to be interpreted with a healthcare professional. Store the jar in a cool, dry place away from light; the best-before date and batch number are printed underneath.
Greenwhey, a brand with a readable label
Greenwhey is a European brand created in 2015, first known for its proteins made from Alpine milk. Its health range follows the same logic: few ingredients, precisely named forms, clearly written doses. The whole Greenwhey range in Paris is gathered in our shop, including the Multivitamins and Minerals and the Probiotics & Prebiotics.
The jar is made of cardboard with a compostable lid. Vitamin D3 + K2 naturally finds its place in our winter section, when the days get shorter, and in our selection for bones. On the food side, our article on sources of calcium beyond milk is a good complement.
We brought this product into Herba Barona, in Paris 12th, because it ticks what we look at first: a short composition, identified forms and a reasonable price for a month of use.
Frequently asked questions
Is this vitamin D3 + K2 suitable for vegans?
No. The capsule is plant-based, but the vitamin D3 comes from lanolin, which is of animal origin. The product is vegetarian and gluten-free.
What time of day should I take it?
During a meal that contains fat, at lunch or in the evening. The time matters less than regularity and having some fat on the plate.
Can it be taken with an anticoagulant?
Not without your doctor’s agreement if you take a vitamin K antagonist: vitamin K can interact with this type of treatment.
Where can I buy Vitamin D3 + K2 Greenwhey in Paris?
At Herba Barona, 10 rue Théophile Roussel, in the 12th arrondissement, two minutes from Ledru-Rollin metro station, Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm.
Herba Barona’s tip — put the jar next to the salt cellar or the oil bottle rather than in the bathroom: these capsules are taken during the meal, and that is where you will remember them. To compare the different forms of vitamin D, read our article Which vitamin D to choose: D3, K2, drops or capsules.
