Warfarin is a type of medication that a healthcare professional may prescribe for people with certain health conditions or risks. Show There are steps that you can take to help make warfarin as effective as possible. Although there is no specific “warfarin diet,” certain foods and drinks can make warfarin less effective. In this article, we’ll:
Warfarin is an anticoagulant, or blood thinner. A healthcare professional may prescribe it to:
It’s also used to prevent blood clots from forming in your blood vessels. In addition, it treats blood clots if they do form by preventing them from getting larger. When clots are smaller, they’re more likely to dissolve on their own. If blood clots are not treated, they can lead to stroke, heart attack, or other serious conditions. Warfarin interferes with the way a certain clotting factor helps your blood to clot. A clotting factor is a substance that helps the blood clump together to form a clot. There are 13 types of clotting factors in every person’s blood. The type of clotting factor that warfarin interferes with is called the vitamin K-dependent clotting factor. Warfarin works by decreasing the amount of vitamin K in your body. Without enough vitamin K to use, the vitamin K-dependent clotting factor can’t help your blood to clot like it usually does. Your body makes vitamin K, but it also gets it from certain foods you eat. One way you can help warfarin work its best is by avoiding big changes in the amount of vitamin K you get through food. Warfarin works because you usually have consistent levels of vitamin K in your body. If you change the amount of vitamin K you’re getting through food, it can change the levels of vitamin K in your body. This can affect how warfarin works for you. If you suddenly start eating foods that have more vitamin K while you take warfarin, you may make warfarin less effective. If you suddenly start eating foods that have less vitamin K while you take warfarin, you may increase your chances of side effects from warfarin. Foods that are rich in vitamin K include leafy vegetables. These may make warfarin less effective. Examples include:
You should also avoid drinking:
Green tea contains vitamin K and could lower the effectiveness of warfarin. Drinking grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, and alcohol during treatment with warfarin can increase your risk of bleeding. There are a variety of foods that are low in vitamin K that can help you create and enjoy a well-balanced diet. Some vegetables and fruits low in vitamin K include:
For a comprehensive list of foods containing vitamin K, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s composition database. Substances other than food can also affect how well warfarin works. This effect is called an interaction. Sometimes these interactions can increase your risk of side effects from warfarin. While you take warfarin, your doctor will check your blood regularly to see how well the drug is working for you. InteractionsCertain medications, supplements, and herbal products can affect how well warfarin works. Tell your doctor all the medications you’re taking before you start taking warfarin. Some medications that can interact with warfarin include:
Supplements and herbal products that can interact with warfarin include:
Side effectsInteractions with food, medications, and other substances can also increase your risk of side effects from warfarin. The most common side effects of warfarin include: Some serious side effects of warfarin can include excessive bleeding from wounds and death of skin tissue. This is caused by small blood clots that block the flow of oxygen to your skin. Toe pain can be a symptom of skin death. Check your toes often, especially if you feel discomfort, and contact your doctor as soon as possible if you experience pain. Your international normalized ratio (INR) is found via a blood test called the prothrombin time test. This is a number that your healthcare professional will monitor if you’re taking warfarin to see how quickly your blood clots. The normal range varies from person to person, but for those taking a blood thinner, your INR number should be between 2 and 3. To help keep your INR in this range, it’s important to:
You should always try to make a habit of eating nutrient-rich foods, but it’s especially important to pay attention to what you eat and how much you eat while you take warfarin. The following rules of thumb can help you ensure that warfarin works its best for you:
Following these tips can help you avoid interactions and keep your nutrient levels consistent. This can help make warfarin as effective as possible and help reduce your risk of side effects.
Coumadin, also known as warfarin, is a blood thinner used to reduce blood clot formation and prevent blocked arteries, heart attacks and strokes. Many foods are safe to eat while taking Coumadin, but some can affect how well your Coumadin works. Vitamin K acts as a natural blood-clotting agent within the body and can therefore interact with Coumadin and make it less effective. While taking Coumadin, it's necessary to consume consistent amounts of vitamin K in your diet. The daily adequate intake of vitamin K for adult males is 120 micrograms per day; for adult females, it's 90 micrograms per day, according to the Institute of Medicine. Low Vitamin K VeggiesVegetables are rich in many nutrients, including vitamin K. Leafy and green vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, spinach, Brussels sprouts, collards and kale, are especially good sources of vitamin K. This doesn't mean that you have to avoid these vegetables, however; you simply need to consume approximately the same amount each day. You can also choose from low vitamin K vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, celery, peas, peeled cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, tomatoes and zucchini. On average, you should eat two to four servings of vegetables per day, with a serving equal to 1 cup of raw vegetables or 1/2 cup of cooked vegetables. Pack in Nutrition With FruitFruit is an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber and contains low levels of vitamin K so you can eat it freely. Good fruit choices include oranges, kiwifruits, grapes, bananas, prunes, cranberry juice, melon, plums, raisins, fruit cocktail, blueberries and applesauce. A serving is equal to one medium piece of fruit; 1/2 cup of canned, frozen or cut-up fresh fruit; 1/3 cup of dried fruit; or 4 ounces of fruit juice. On average, you should eat two to four servings of fruit per day. Dairy Foods for Calcium and ProteinDairy products are low in vitamin K and are acceptable on a Coumadin diet. Milk, cheese, cream, yogurt and ice cream are examples of dairy products you may consume. Eat two to three 1-cup servings of dairy each day. While all of these foods are considered safe while you're taking Coumadin, it's best to consume low-fat or nonfat dairy products when possible. This will help you maintain a healthy weight and prevent other complications. Meat, Poultry and FishChicken, turkey, duck, beef, steak, veal, ham and pork are acceptable when taking Coumadin, except for beef and chicken livers, which are rich in vitamin K. Avoid high-fat selections, such as sausage, bacon and bologna when possible. Fish such as haddock, salmon, trout, mackerel, tuna and shellfish, including clams, oysters and shrimp are also good choices. Fish is especially beneficial as it's high in the essential fatty acid omega-3. You may also eat eggs, but only in moderation as they're high in cholesterol. On average, you should eat three servings of high-protein foods each day. Nutrient-Rich Starches and GrainsMost breads, cereals and grains are low in vitamin K. You should eat six to eight servings of food from this group daily, choosing whole grains when possible. Good examples of acceptable foods from the starch and grain group include oatmeal, wheat bread and pasta, brown rice, quinoa, millet, couscous, cream of wheat, cereal grains, rye and granola. |