When a person is using the blood thinner Coumadin® (warfarin), he will have to maintain the level of vitamin K in the diet consistently. When you change the level of vitamin K on a regular basis, the health professional may need to alter the dose of Coumadin® frequently.
A large percentage of individuals who use warfarin actually consume a regular diet. However, it is highly recommended not to suddenly consume more vitamin K than normal. It is also highly advisable not to eat solids that are extremely low in vitamin K. Try to acquire approximately the same dosage of vitamin K daily.
Coumadin® (warfarin) is basically an anticoagulant. Anticoagulants are occasionally referred to as blood thinners, but they don't really thin the blood. Alternatively, they raise the time needed for a blood clot to take shape. This actually helps decrease the chances for heart attack (infarction), cerebrovascular accident (stroke), deep vein thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism.
Coumadin® works by decreasing the action of vitamin K. Vitamin K helps your blood clot so wounds don't bleed too much.
If a person is using Coumadin®, he will still require vitamin K in his diet. However, it is important not to abruptly modify the level of vitamin K a person consumes each day. This may keep Coumadin® from performing well.
Consuming plenty of vitamin K can lessen the effect of Coumadin®, making it more probable that blood clots will appear. Consuming a lot less vitamin K than normal can worsen the impact of Coumadin® and raise the risk of hemorrhage.
Coumadin® and Getting Vitamin K
Coumadin® helps avoid risky blood clots. It also acts better when the consumption of vitamin K remains approximately the same every day. By knowing what items have vitamin K, a person can get approximately an equal amount daily so the medication can perform its task.
Foods high in Vitamin K are:
- Steamed leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, collard greens, turnip greens, Swiss chard, seaweed, and beet greens, and mustard greens
- Natural parsley
- Broccoli, uncooked or steamed
- Brussels sprouts, asparagus and cauliflower
Vitamin K is likewise available in certain multivitamin pills, and herbal items.
How to Get a Steady Amount of Vitamin K
A person doesn't have to cease eating meals rich in vitamin K when he is using Coumadin®.
However, in order to remain healthy:
- Find out how much vitamin K is contained in the items you consume, and watch the sizes of each serving.
- Do not suddenly shift the amount of vitamin K in the diet. Consider to keep the level you consume similar from day to day. For instance, if you do not regularly consume leafy vegetables like spinach, do not include them (leafy vegetables) in your diet or consume a great deal of these veggies at one time.
If you use a multivitamin pill that has vitamin K, make sure you use it daily. Consult with your health professional before you use any pills or herbal materials. A few of these materials could have vitamin K in them.
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References:
Fauci AS, et al. "Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine." 15th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2001.
Garrow JS, James, WPT, and Ralph, A. "Human Nutrition and Dietetics." 10th edition. New York: Churchill Livingstone; 2000.
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