Warfarin and green leafy vegetables

Common Questions and Answers about Warfarin and green leafy vegetables

jantoven

However, I'm very DIScouraged to read about the contra-indication for cruciferous vegetables - for years I've been eating large green smoothies daily, with either chard, kale or spinach as the main ingredient, and feeling both healthier and more virtuous (!) as a result. For the last year or so, however, I've noticed that I sometimes feel more sluggish after one, and sometimes that my blood pressure has gone up.

Often when someone starts taking warfarin they have their blood checked weekly and sometimes more frequently until doctors can find the right dose and patients get in the habit of taking the medication at a scheduled time and control their diet (for example, we routinely tell patients to only eat leafy green vegetables on certain days while taking warfarin and to avoid certain foods like grapefruit completely).

Avoiding green leafy vegetables is a must with Warfarin, but there are other vegetables that you can eat that will help beef up your vitamins, nutrients and fiber intake. Good luck, and KEEP working with your doctor. Staying on top of this is the best way to keep yourself healthy!

The amount of vitamin K in your diet may affect your response to warfarin. Certain foods (like green, leafy vegetables) have high amounts of vitamin K and can decrease your INR. You do not have to avoid foods high in vitamin K, but it is very important to try to maintain a consistent diet every week. Alcohol use also may affect your response to warfarin. Excessive use can lead to a sharp rise in your INR. It is best to avoid alcohol while you are taking warfarin.

Please try to eat consistent amounts of Vitamin K. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, kale, collard greens, cabbage, and salad greens are some sources of Vitamin K, but there are many others. If you are taking salad every day or other foods rich in Vitamin K, you must eat similar amounts each week. Do not suddenly change your diet or go on a “binge” of a favorite food as this will affect your INR. Your nurse or dietitian may give you a list of Vitamin K content of foods.

I am not suggesting a dose change, just sharing experience. I eat green vegetables/salads often and it doesn't seem to make any big change. I also take a mulch-vitamin that includes "K", and I wonder if that level addition each day helps stabilize my "K" level against my "K" input due to diet. The supplement I take is a fractional "K" as I recall.

I will be on the Warfarin forever, but that is fine because you can’t eat leafy green veggies when you are on it and I despise green veggies so now I have the best excuse not to eat them. Good luck with whatever choice is made, but I would opt for the Warfarin.

Hi Thanks for your reply, I will go to the link you suggested i was supposed to go for another blood test two weeks ago, but my doctor has moved 33 miles away from me now, and i have to rely on a ride to get there, my INR levels are usually still checked every two weeks, but I have gone a month before now, Do you find it strange that when my INR levels are a little high, my doc tells me to eat more green leafy vegetables for the week, she does this rather than adjust my warfarin, I have be

Dear Leslie, This may be due to diet containing an increase in leafy green vegetables or vitamin K in foods. You may whish to review your diet. It is normal to have variation over time and as long as your INR is within range, it may require changes in dosage, but this is not harmful.

Lead a more disciplined life, avoid any kind of cut or injury, keep a close watch on your PT/INR and be in constant touch with your Primary Physician. Avoid over use of salads and green-leafy vegetables, since they counteract the effects of Warfarin. Seek the company of positive people and always see the lighter side to things; learn the capacity of laughing at yourself, not taking yourself too seriously.

I think the concern in the warning is that if you take too much of both that your blood will get too thin. As for eating green, leafy veggies - don't take this as gospel because I didn't have enough time to research it fully, but it appears that drugs like Warfarin/Coumadin and Heparin are the ones that you shouldn't eat greens with, but Lovenox does not have that same restriction. Here's a link to a site where patients were discussing this issue: http://community.babycenter.

It seems to me that he is not to have any green leafy vegetable, since he had the mechanical valve and has to take warfarin. Could you please tell me where I could obtain a list of the food that will not affect the warfarin. I have a list the I obtained from the hospital, but it seems more dealing it cholestrol and food to keep the heart in good working order. Any information you can assist me with would be greatly appreciated.

Being on blood thinners doesn't mean to limit your vegetable intake. I eat lots of leafy greens and broccoli everyday. You may be asked to curb the intake of Vitamin K (that is what triggers the clotting response) items a few weeks while the thinners get started, but the key is eating a consistent amount of vegies that contain vitamin K. Consistency is the key here, since your dosage of Warfarin or Coumadin can be adjusted to compensate for eating these items.

Dear Robert, It is possible for jumps in the INR to occur and this is why careful monitoring is important. Atenolol may interact with coumadin (generic warfarin). Common foods such as grapefruit juice, leafy green vegetables and many drugs can also change coumadin levels. Smoking also changes drug levels. The following is information on warfarin and it's drug interactions. Coumadin (generic name Warfarin) is a anticoagulant (blood thinner) that is used for a variety of conditions.

If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please Call 1 - 800 - CCF - CARE for an appointment at Desk F15 with a cardiologist i'm currently a 41 year-old male taking coumadin also and have become aware that dark green leafy vegetables can make your pt fluctuate rather wildly and beware of vitamin "k" it has a clotting effect in it example of dark green vegetables are brussel sprouts, broccolli even onions can effect it :-( that and vitamin "k" although i hope t

INR's can change by what you eat, I eat green leafy vegetables 3 days per week and get my veggies from low vit k foods. I take 5mg 5 days per week and 10mg 2 days per week and my last INR was 4.0 but my INR range is a little higher than most people.

low-fat diet (gallstones) avoiding dark leafy greens (DVT and warfarin) trying to lose weight so managing calories. Problems with legs and fatigue, so haven't been exercising. When I'm feeling better I work out three times a week - but it's been a long time since I was able to do that.

It is important to take Coumadin at the same time every day and keep your daily intake of foods consistent (especially things like green leafy vegetable and cranberry juice). Compression devices and massage are counterindicated once clots develop because of the dangers of dislodging pieces of the clot. So don't rub those sore legs Jen! JJ, spasms would only cut off blood supply enough to cause clots if they were sustained over long periods of time.

There are many drugs that interact with coumadin (see below). Common foods such as grapefruit juice, leafy green vegetables and many drugs can change coumadin levels. Smoking also changes drug levels. Also be sure to take the same brand of drug each time and always take the drug at the same time of day (usually 6pm). The following is information on warfarin and it's drug interactions.

Common foods such as grapefruit juice, leafy green vegetables and many drugs can also change coumadin levels. Smoking also changes drug levels. The following is information on warfarin and it's drug interactions. Coumadin (generic name Warfarin) is a anticoagulant (blood thinner) that is used for a variety of conditions.

this website has a lot of info including possible meds that could interact) I also know as being a current nursing student that vitamin K (found in green leafy vegetables) affects clotting, so you may want to consider your diet or any supplements you may be taking. Thanks for all the personal stories, it is very informative and helpful. I will definately be looking into a different birth control.

You know with all the burocracy here in the states regarding health and medical it won't get any green light so you decide to try it and it helps please let us know. Just make sure you take precautions I mentioned above first before trying things out and know whats in it and what your taking and that it poses no harm or known side effects. I hope this helps. Check back in and let us know. -Rich P.

Recommended

MedHelp Health Answers

Submit