RE: Nutrition for Blood Clots

[Guest guest]

Sheri,

Omega 3 fats and Vitamin E have both been shown to have very marked effects

on platelet activity (clotting). However, I would not recommend making any

dietary or supplement changes without close medical supervision. Blood

clots, especially those in the lungs and legs, are definitely not something

to take chances with. Both locations can very easily become life

threatening. Also, you are correct in believing that coordinating the

coumadin dosages with dietary changes and supplementation is difficult.

While taking coumadin, consuming too much viatmin K can quickly result in

more clots while too much vitamin E or omega 3 could result in serious

hemorrhage. I would honestly probably not try to intervene nutritionally

unless there has been a period of being clot-free. Once the clot-free

period has been achieved, if being coumadin-free or aspirin-free is really

important to her, you might be able to find a medical or naturopathic doctor

who could perform the PT (also known as Pro Time or Prothrombin Time) test

while she tries to transition to a nutritional form of controlling her

clotting. Depending on what her clotting abnormality is there might be

other appropriate and/or necessary tests as well. The bottom line is that,

yes there might possibly be alternative methods of dealing with the problem,

but under no circumstances should it be undertaken without medical

supervision...at a very minimum there should be a nurse who can regularly

perform and evaluate the clotting tests. And I'm doubtful that it could be

controlled with diet alone, the supplements would likely need to be

therapeutic doses that would be nearly impossible to acheive dietarily.

Good luck!

Minneapolis

PS If she does try Vitamin E (with supervision!) she will probably have

better luck with the natural form of vitamin E (d-alpha) than with the

synthetic form (dl-alpha). I'm also not much of a believer in the

non-oil-based dry (succinate) form.

-----Original Message-----

From: Sowelu30@... [mailto:Sowelu30@...]

Sent: Friday, February 01, 2002 10:15 AM

Subject: Nutrition for Blood Clots

My friend has blood clots in her lungs (pulminary emboli). She also had one

in her leg. It appears to be due to a genetic issue, as she tested positive

for a Protein S deficiency (as did her siblings, one of whom is also dealing

with blood clots). She's taking Coumadin to keep her blood thin, and has to

severely restrict her intake of Vitamin K (found mostly in leafy greens).

Does anyone know anything about this and about treating it nutritionally? I

know there are foods that inhibit clotting, such as garlic. It just seems

tricky to coordinate it with the medication. Any knowledge out there would

be

greatly appreciated.

thanks,

sheri