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Blood Thinners – What You Need to Know About Them
The chief reason to thin the blood
is to keep blood clots from forming. When the body is injured in any way it
sends special cells called platelets to repair the area. These can stick
together and obstruct veins. A group of these cells can form at the entrance to
a vital organ and block off circulation to it, which is called a thrombosis.
When a group of these cells breaks free and blocks a vein or organ it is called
an embolism. Both can cause heart attacks and strokes.
Blood thinners are widely
prescribed to help avoid strokes and heart attacks. They act as
anti-coagulants, keeping the blood cells from sticking to each other. The most
common are Coumadin (warfarin),
synthetic versions of the naturally-occurring coumarin, which is found in trace amounts in plants such as licorice,
lavender, and woodruff, and aspirin.
Coumadin is also used as a rat
poison, and some people who use Coumadin have side effects including bleeding. Many commonly used medications interact
with warfarin, as do some foods, and its activity has to be monitored by
frequent blood
testing for the international normalization ratio (INR) to
ensure an adequate yet safe dose is taken.
• Coumadin can cause bleeding,
hemorrhaging, and pain in the toes caused by small lumps of cholesterol that
settle there; it can also interact with other medications and even foods and
herbs, like garlic. There also disturbing recent (2009-10) findings about the
safety of warfarin: it nearly doubles the risk of dying after a
traumatic injury. And from the May, 2010 issue of the journal Archives of
Neurology, people who are taking warfarin when they have a stroke are subject
to a nearly 10-fold higher risk of brain hemorrhage if they’re treated with an
intravenous clot-dissolving medication (tPA). For these and other reasons, the
use of Coumadin as the blood thinner of choice is declining.
• Aspirin can cause internal
bleeding and irritation to the stomach lining
Natural blood thinners
Many natural blood thinners
contain coumarin in small amounts, along with other natural compounds. Some
patients have found that when used by ingesting the foods that contain them, or
taken in supplement form, they can work as well as prescription medications.
Most work by keeping the platelets
from sticking to each other, which is the whole purpose of using blood
thinners.
NOTE: If taking Coumadin
or other prescription blood thinners do not discontinue them and start a
natural remedy before consulting a physician.
• Garlic, which studies have shown can reduce the build-up of cholesterol
as well as reducing plaque deposits in the aorta; garlic can also react with warfarin
• Feverfew, a traditional garden herb, originally used to reduce
fever
• Dong quai, also called Angelica sinensis, which is also known as
the “female ginseng,” is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat blood
pressure problems and mild anemia, and also as an anti-inflammatory; it has
trace amounts of natural coumarin
• Ginger, which studies suggest may inhibit clotting; but it also can
be an intestinal irritant
• Gingko biloba improves blood flow to all parts of the body
• Fish oil contains the fatty acids EPA and DHA which break down
fibrin. Fibrin is involved in blood clot formation. Fish oil helps the blood
flow more freely and helps in the prevention of new clots. This is especially
important if you’ve had a clot that has been cleared away. Recommended dose is
one tablespoon three times daily to start, then reducing to one tablespoon
twice daily; continue with 11/2 tablespoons daily for maintenance.
• Vitamin E, which studies suggest may inhibit the harmful effects of
LDL (bad) cholesterol. Cholesterol can block arteries and cause heart attacks.
An Australian study found that taking 100-200 mg of the gamma tocopherol form
of vitamin E lowered platelet aggregation, or clot formation and reduced LDL
cholesterol significantly. We suggest taking a complete natural form of vitamin
E and not the synthetic dl-alpha tocopherol form or other synthetic varieties.
The recommended dose is 400 IU of mixed tocopherols, three times a day to
start, and reducing to 600 IU daily.
• Nattokinase, made from an enzyme produced in fermented soy beans,
hinders clot formation and thins blood, but should not be used when taking any other
blood thinner: consult a physician first
• Red algae, also called dulse, which has been shown in studies
to have anti-coagulant and anti-tumor properties
A natural form of vitamin C is always recommended if you
have a tendency to platelet aggregation. Whenever the body is under stress or
is injured, vitamin C is beneficial in repairing tissue. We suggest 1-2 grams
two to three times daily, or to bowel tolerance.
• A deficiency in vitamin K can inhibit clot formation.
It is found in: alfalfa, broccoli, dark green leafy vegetables and
soybeans. Also: Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, egg yolks, liver,
oatmeal, rye, and wheat. If you are taking Coumadin or other blood thinners,
inform your doctor before consuming vitamin K as it may thin the blood too
much.
• Magnesium has an important role to play in preventing blood clots
and keeping the blood thin – much like aspirin but without the side effects.
Start with 400 mg daily.
• Do you have hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)? Supplementing with iodine
helps with this condition and also reduces the tendency to form blood clots.
Warning: If you are
going to have surgery, including
dental, make sure your doctor knows if you are taking any form of blood thinner!