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Writer's pictureDr. Karuturi Subrahmanyam

Natural Blood Thinner Foods


Blood thinners are medicines that stop blood clots from forming or growing. Blood clots can cause serious problems, such as heart attack, stroke, or lung blockage. Some people may need blood thinners to treat or prevent these problems, but they may also have side effects, such as bleeding or bruising.


Some foods and herbs have natural blood-thinning properties that may help improve blood flow and prevent clotting. However, they are not as strong or reliable as prescription blood thinners, and they may not work well with some drugs or health conditions. Therefore, it is important to talk to your doctor before trying any natural blood thinners.


Here are some of the most common natural blood thinners and how they may work:

Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that makes curry dishes yellow. It has a substance called curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Curcumin may also act as a natural blood thinner by blocking some clotting factors and platelets, which are the cells that stick together to form clots.

How to use: You can add turmeric to your food, drink it as a tea, or take it as a pill. However, be careful not to take too much, as it may upset your stomach or harm your liver. The suggested amount of curcumin is 500 milligrams (mg) twice a day.


Ginger

Ginger is a root that has many health benefits, such as easing nausea, pain, and inflammation. It also has natural chemicals that prevent blood cells from sticking together. These chemicals are also found in aspirin, a common blood thinner. Ginger may also lower the amount of thromboxane, a hormone that makes clots.

How to use: You can use fresh or dried ginger in your food, make ginger tea, or take ginger capsules. The safe amount of ginger is up to 4 grams (g) per day.


Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a popular spice that has many health benefits. It may lower blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure. It may also have blood-thinning effects, as it has coumarin, a substance that interferes with clotting. Coumarin is also found in some prescription blood thinners, such as warfarin. However, too much coumarin can be bad for the liver and may increase the chance of bleeding.

How to use: You can sprinkle cinnamon on your food, drink it as a tea, or take it as a pill. The safe amount of cinnamon is up to 6 g per day. However, if you are taking warfarin or other blood thinners, you should avoid cinnamon, as it may not work well with them.


Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is a hot spice that may boost your metabolism, digestion, and immunity. It may also help thin your blood, as it has capsaicin, a substance that reduces inflammation and platelet clumping. Capsaicin may also improve blood flow and prevent plaque buildup in the blood vessels.

How to use: You can add cayenne pepper to your food, drink it as a tea, or take it as a pill. The safe amount of capsaicin is up to 1 g per day. However, be careful not to take too much, as it may irritate your stomach or cause ulcers.


Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a vitamin that acts as an antioxidant and protects your cells from damage. It may also have blood-thinning effects, as it stops platelets from sticking and clumping. Vitamin E may also make other blood thinners, such as aspirin and warfarin, work better.

How to use: You can get vitamin E from foods, such as nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and green leafy vegetables. You can also take it as a pill. The recommended daily amount of vitamin E is 15 mg for adults. However, if you are taking blood thinners, you should avoid high amounts of vitamin E, as it may increase the risk of bleeding.


Other Foods

There are many other foods and herbs that may have blood-thinning properties, such as:

  • Garlic

  • Ginkgo biloba

  • Grape seed extract

  • Dong quai

  • Feverfew

  • Bromelain

  • Aloe vera

  • Evening primrose oil

  • Melatonin

However, the evidence for their effectiveness and safety is not very strong or clear. Therefore, you should be careful when using them and ask your doctor before taking any supplements.


Summary

Natural blood thinners may help improve blood flow and prevent clotting, but they are not a replacement for prescription blood thinners. They may also have side effects or interactions with some drugs or health conditions. Therefore, you should always talk to your doctor before trying any natural blood thinners.


Dr. Karuturi Subrahmanyam, MD, FRCP (London), FACP (USA)

Internal Medicine Specialist


Kify Hospital

Danavaipeta

Rajahmundry

Phone : 85000 23456

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