Don't: Eat the Wrong Foods If you take the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) to ward off clots, you'll need to watch what you eat. Vitamin K can affect how the drug works. So you have to be careful about the amounts of kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, chard, or collard or mustard greens you eat.
Blood thinners are medicines that stop blood clots from forming or from getting larger. Spinach is loaded with vitamin K, a vitamin which plays a role in forming blood clots, therefore reducing the efficacy of blood thinners, allowing blood clots to thrive.
Those who are prescribed a blood thinner, such as Coumadin, are told to avoid foods high in Vitamin K because this will counteract the effects of the blood thinner. Leafy vegetables (e.g. kale, collards, turnip greens, swiss chard, salad greens, parsley, spinach) are the highest sources of vitamin K.
Foods rich in vitamin E, such as almonds, avocado, and spinach, can help dissolve blood clots. Vitamin E has anticoagulant properties and can help prevent blood clots from forming. It is recommended to consume foods rich in vitamin E regularly.
Dr. Gerardo García Rivas, Zambrano Hellion Hospital research center director, said a recent American Heart Association study found avocado consumption could lower cholesterol levels and therefore help to limit the formation of artery-clotting thrombi.
Broccoli, kale, spinach, cabbage, collards.
These nutrient-rich vegies are high in Vitamin K. This vitamin supports blood clotting.
Foods You Can Eat on a Warfarin Diet
Meat, fish, and eggs. Milk, cheese, and yogurt.
Eating leafy greens is generally good for the health. However, some greens, such as collards, spinach, and chard, contain large amounts of vitamin K that may interact with blood thinners and lessen their effect. According to a 2016 review , people who take blood thinners should not try to avoid vitamin K.
Jayne Hurley, senior nutritionist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, reminds us that people on blood thinners don't need to avoid greens, they need to avoid big swings in the amount of greens -- and vitamin K -- they have from one day to the next. That's what could cause a problem.
Blood-thinning medications are commonly used to prevent blood clots from forming or getting bigger. Thrombolytic medications can break up existing clots. Catheter-directed treatments, such as percutaneous transcatheter treatment, are done by inserting a catheter into a blood vessel in the groin.
It is important to start treatment right away for DVT. It takes about 3 to 6 months for a blood clot to go away.
Because you are taking a blood thinner, you should try not to hurt yourself and cause bleeding. You need to be careful when you use knives, scissors, razors, or any sharp object that can make you bleed. You also need to avoid activities and sports that could cause injury. Swimming and walking are safe activities.
While you're in your seat, flex your ankles to keep blood flowing. And drink plenty of water -- dehydration can make a clot more likely.
Citrus Fruit
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for staying healthy and citrus fruits are an excellent way to include it in your diet. Citrus fruit such as oranges, grapefruit, and lemons contain many antioxidants that can lower inflammation, prevent blood clots, and improve blood circulation.
Lots of fiber good for heart health – Carrots are high in soluble fiber, which may reduce cholesterol by binding the LDL form (the kind we don't want) and increasing the HDL form (the kind our body needs) to help reduce blood clots and prevent heart disease.
Unlike aspirin which thins the blood and increases risk of unwanted bleeding, the nutrients in tomatoes decrease platelet aggregation and plaque build-up without affecting normal blood clotting; meaning your blood clots when you need it to , but not when you don't.
Wear loose-fitting clothes, socks, or stockings. Raise your legs 6 inches above your heart from time to time. Wear special stockings (called compression stockings) if your doctor prescribes them. Do exercises your doctor gives you.
Blood thinners are medicines that prevent blood clots from forming. They do not break up clots that you already have. But they can stop those clots from getting bigger. It's important to treat blood clots, because clots in your blood vessels and heart can cause heart attacks, strokes, and blockages.