Blood clotting, also known as coagulation or hemostasis, is a natural physiological process that prevents excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. It involves a series of complex interactions between blood cells, proteins, and other components in the blood.
The primary goal of blood clotting is to form a stable clot or plug at the site of injury to stop the bleeding and facilitate wound healing. The problem is that sometimes these clots don’t dissolve properly, and they can break off into your blood stream. They can then get stuck/wedged in an artery or a vein which blocks the normal flow of blood.
Risks Of Blood Clots
This is a problem because undissolved blood clots can cause deep vein thrombosis in your legs, causing a tightness in your muscles, red skin that feels warm to touch and he veins become more visible underneath the skin.
- Blood clots can cause trigger a stroke if it’s near your brain
- A heart attack if it’s in your coronary artery
- A pulmonary embolism if it’s in your lungs
- And a range of other health problems depending where the clot gets trapped in your vascular system.
Today I’ll be sharing a list of the top 6 vitamins to help your body dissolve blood clots naturally and help the blood to flow freely. You’ll also learn about some of the best foods, lifestyle tips and changes you can make to your diet to prevent thrombosis. I use the words “Vitamins“ broadly to include minerals, herbs and nutritional supplements that may use to dissolve blood clots.
Vitamin E (Tocotrienols)
One of the most important nutrients that helps to dissolve blood clots (fibrinolysis) and prevent heart attacks/stroke/thrombosis is Vitamin E. Life threatening blood clots (thrombus/embolism), often form when the inner walls of your arteries or veins become damaged.
However Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant which protects against oxidative damage in your blood vessels to prevent dangerous clots from forming. If you wish you can take up to 300mg of Vitamin E (tocotrienols) daily. Tocotrienols are part of the Vitamin E complex and are 50x stronger than regular tocopherols found in common Vitamin E supplements.
Vitamin E Foods: avocados, sunflower seeds, EVOO, hazelnuts, Swiss chard and leafy green vegetables which all help to thin your blood and keep it flowing freely and unrestricted.
Nattokinase (Enzymes)
Your body is constantly forming new blood clots and dissolving them every single day of your life. (Especially in your blood vessels) Unfortunately as we age, become overweight, have liver problems or hormonal changes our bodies begin struggling to break down clots (fibrinolysis). There are natural enzymes that you can take as a supplement to help dissolve blood clots.
You can take 100mg of Nattokinase (2,000 FU’s) daily in a capsule. Nattokinase is an enzyme found in fermented soy beans which helps to thin the blood, and dissolve the protein’ fibrin’, the material that makes up over 50% of a blood clot. You can also get some other fibrinolytic enzymes to prevent blood clots by eating:
Other Clot Busting Enzymes :
- Pineapple (Bromelain) (which contains bromalin that helps dissolve clots)
- Papaya (Papain) (you can get an enzyme called papin from pinapples)
- Serrapeptase (You can get a supplement of Serrapeptase extracted from silk worms)
- Lumbrokinase (or lumbrokinase which is purified from earthworms)
All of these enzymes help to thin your blood, so do be careful if you are taking any blood thinning medications, and speak to your doctor first.
Vitamin C (Complex)
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient which we have to consume regularly in our diet from plant based foods such as salad leaves, vegetables, berries and fruits. Studies show that people with a Vitamin C deficiency have a higher risk of developing inflammation and plaque inside their arteries, Which raises the risk of blood clots forming inside the arteries that block blood flow, causing a stroke or a heart attack.
Vitamin C strengthens the smooth collagen inside your arteries, helping to keep them flexible and the blood flowing normally. Eating foods like cabbage, sauerkraut, strawberries, bell peppers and cruciferous vegetables is the best way to boost the Vitamin C and antioxidant network within your body. Make sure to avoid over the counter ‘ascorbic acid‘ supplements, as these only contain 5% of the true Vitamin C complex.
If you do decide to supplement, use a whole fruit powder such as acerola cherry, rose hips or camu camu.
Phytonutrients
Phytonutrients are natural chemicals made by plants which often act as a natural medicine when humans consume them. Let’s take a look at some of the most well-studied phytonutrients that help to dissolve blood clots.
1. Firstly we have garlic which contains allicin, a compound that thins the blood, prevents stiffness in the artery walls and reduces the risk of blood clots. If you don’t like eating garlic, you can get aged garlic extract in a supplement. 2400mg per day, which also helps to keep the arteries clear of plaque.
2. Capers, are often eaten in Mediterranean cuisine and are the richest source of quercetin, a phytochemical that can reduce blood clots from forming in the body.
3. Turmeric contains curcumin which helps to control blood sugars and lowers inflammation In the vascular system, reducing the chances of a blood clot from clogging an artery or vein.
Potassium & Magnesium
Potassium and magnesium are the most essential minerals needed to protect your heart, arteries and cardiovascular system. If you have high blood pressure or fluid retention in your body, because you’re not very active or you eat lots of starchy/sugary foods, You are at a higher risk of developing a dangerous blood clot, because these conditions put pressure and strain on your artery walls, Which causes bleeding, clotting and platelet activation.
The best way to prevent these problems is by loading up on foods rich in potassium and magnesium such as leafy greens, kale, broccoli, avocados, brussels sprouts, cabbage, radishes, salmon and pumpkin seeds. For an extra boost you can take an electrolyte powder in the form of potassium citrate (1000mg) and magnesium citrate (120mg), which you can drink in a glass of water daily.
These help to reduce swelling, especially in your feet and legs for those with deep vein thrombosis or edema.
Cod Liver Oil (Omega 3-s)
One of the best ways to support overall health as you age is by taking 1 tablespoon of virgin cod liver oil on a daily basis. This is one of the healthiest and richest sources of Omega 3 fatty acids (DHA & EPA), Which have been shown to lower triglycerides (blood fats) and reduce platelets from clumping together and forming harmful blood clots.
Omega 3 fats also lower blood pressure and help to relax your artery walls for better blood flow and reduces risk of stroke, thrombosis, heart attacks or embolism. Alternatively you can get your omega3-s by eating canned sardines, wild salmon, anchovies, mackerel, shellfish and walnuts.
Ways To Dissolve Blood Clots
In addition to using the vitamins and natural remedies we have talked about so far, there are also some other simple ways to dissolve blood clots. For example if you smoke anything that contains tobacco or nicotine such as cigarettes, you will want to quit, as these can increase adrenaline and the formation of blood clots. It may be difficult if you are addicted, but you can at least try, and take some B-vitamins to help you relax through the withdrawal symptoms.
Dangerous Blood clots also often form when a person is eating too many fast foods and processed foods which are cooked with inflammatory vegetable oils like soy, canola, cottonseed or corn oils. So start cooking your own healthier meals using less processed fats like raw coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil as these will help to prevent blood clots from forming.
If you are overweight, pregnant, or your taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy these can raise your estrogen, which increases the risks of clots Especially when you are sitting down for a long period of time such as on a plane or a bus, or your having bed rest. To lower the risk, simply start exercising and moving your body as much possible to promote blood flow.
If you are on plane or stuck at home try to stand up and walk around at least once every hour and consider using compression socks for long journeys. It’s also very important to stay hydrated by drinking at least 1 litre of a bottle mineral water each day as this prevent your blood from becoming too thick and prone to clotting.
Lastly I’d like to share one final tip with you, if you suffer from hypertension, diabetes, high LDL cholesterol or chronic stress you are more at risk of developing a life threatening blood clot. To minimise this, eat as cleanly as you can by cutting out starchy sugary and processed foods, and consider following a low carb diet.
I also recommend tart eating 2-3 tablespoons of nutritional yeast each day to supply B-vitamins, especially niacin which dilates and opens up your blood vessels to prevent a blockage or a blood clot. If you’re worried about blood clots, speak to your doctor and request full blood count, a fibrinogen test and a venous ultrasound.