Aspirin, its side effects, and blood thinning
Aspirin was originally derived from the herbs meadowsweet and willow bark and later synthesized by the pharmaceutical industry to create a patentable product. Although daily aspirin use is recommended for adult men and women in the prevention of heart attack and stroke, it is important to understand that taking aspirin does not come without risks. The most dangerous aspirin side effects include kidney damage, liver damage, ulcers, hearing loss, hemorrhagic stroke and Reye’s syndrome (a rare but serious condition that causes swelling in the liver and brain). Other side effects to watch out for include: easy bruising and bleeding. gastrointestinal bleeding, intestinal damage, tinnitus, or ringing in the ears.
Blood thinners are medicines that prevent blood clots from forming. They also keep existing blood clots from getting larger. Clots in the arteries, veins, and heart can cause heart attacks, strokes, and blockages. There are two main types of blood thinners. Anticoagulants such as heparin or warfarin (also called Coumadin) slow down the body's process of making clots. Antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin, prevent blood cells called platelets from clumping together to form a clot. If a person is taking an anticoagulant, he will need regular blood tests to check how well his blood is clotting. It is important to make sure that he is taking enough medicine to prevent clots, but not so much that it causes bleeding.
How an anti-inflammatory diet can help
The active ingredient in aspirin is salicylates or salicylic acid, and there could be natural alternatives. Hippocrates had it right many years ago, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." First off, you want to avoid eating foods that promote inflammation, swelling and pain — like junk food, processed and packaged foods, foods with artificial ingredients and added sugars, and too much caffeine and alcohol. Instead, focus on eating foods that will promote a person’s health and reduce inflammation. These anti-inflammatory foods include:
• Leafy greens and other colorful vegetables
• Fruit, like blueberries and pineapple
• Healthy fats, like wild-caught salmon and coconut oil
• Bone broth
• Nuts and seeds, like walnuts, flax seeds and chia seeds
• Good quality meat, like grass-fed beef and organic chicken
• Anti-inflammatory spices, like ginger, cayenne and turmeric
Many of these conditions that people use aspirin for, in order to reduce risk levels, are inflammatory and involve clotting. So the goal is an anti-inflammatory diet with all of the nutrients that are likely to create healthy blood flow and reduce coagulation. The ideal diet is one that is low in inflammatory foods like seed oils and refined grains and excess sugar. It is nutrient-dense and has a lot of the nutrients that contribute to healthy hemodynamics, blood flow, and reduce coagulation. It is important to get enough of the long-chain omega-3 fats like EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). These fats have well-known anticlotting effects. Fish like salmon or mackerel, herring, sardines, anchovies have the highest levels of EPA and DHA. Dark chocolate consumption results in antiplatelet effects, so it has an anticlotting effect. A small serving every day would certainly be fine if one tolerates it.
Specific foods that can help with blood thinning
In addition to chocolate and EPA and DHA, another consideration from a dietary perspective is some common spices and herbs in foods that are known to inhibit thrombosis without prolonging bleeding time.
Garlic is as useful as a blood thinner as aspirin, minus the side-effects. With its blood-thinning potential, it can increase blood flow and prevent heart conditions like atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Garlic is also rich in antioxidants known to help combat free radicals that contribute to heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer disease. Besides its often desirable taste in food and cooking, garlic has natural antibiotic and antimicrobial properties. Another review of several studies on garlic suggests that it may thin the blood, although the effects are small and short-lived. The American Academy of Family Physicians nonetheless recommends that people stop taking high doses of garlic 7 to 10 days before a planned surgery because of its antithrombotic properties.
Ginger is in the same family as turmeric and contains salicylate, a natural chemical found in many plants. Ginger has anti-blood-clotting abilities and its health benefits include its anti-pain and anti-inflammatory properties. Gingerol, the most therapeutic component in ginger, acts on receptors that are located on the sensory nerve endings. Ginger can work in the same way that aspirin does by blocking the enzyme that causes inflammation.
Turmeric is a spice that gives curry dishes a yellow color. One of its main active ingredients, curcumin, acts as an anticoagulant. Studies also indicate that curcumin — the most beneficial compound in turmeric — possesses anti-thrombotic activities and daily consumption of turmeric may help you to maintain anticoagulant status. Researchers also suggest that turmeric extracts can be used to alleviate pain.
Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory and heart disease-protecting abilities. Studies show that a major cinnamon health benefit is its ability to reduce several risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. Cinnamon works as a natural blood coagulant and it increases blood circulation. However, it is important to note that long-term cinnamon consumption in foods, including cinnamon-based bread and teas, can cause liver damage.
Cayenne peppers can have a powerful blood-thinning effect on our bodies because of their high levels of salicylates. They can be taken in capsule form or easily ground up as a spice for food. Cayenne pepper has a high amount of blood-thinning salicylates. Capsaicin, the active ingredient in cayenne peppers, is a known painkiller and may help reduce nerve, muscle and joint pain
Vitamin E has been reported to be a mild anticoagulant. Foods with salicylate, such as avocados, some berries, chilies, and cherries, may also keep blood from clotting. More studies are needed to see if they’re as effective as prescription medicines.
Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapples, is often used to treat inflammation in conditions like arthritis. Research shows that it can be used to relieve post-operative pain and swelling, joint pain and inflammation of the sinuses. Two major bromelain health benefits are its anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic effects. It effectively increases blood circulation and boosts the immune system.
Magnesium deficiency can lead to health issues like hypertension and cardiovascular disease, kidney and liver damage, muscle cramps, depressed immune system and migraine headaches. Taking magnesium supplements can support our blood pressure levels and prevent hypertension.
Apart from diet and supplements, it is important to consider exercise and stress management as well. Exercise is very important for maintaining healthy hemodynamics, blood flow, and reducing the risk of clots. Stress management may play a role as well. Yoga had a significant effect on reducing blood coagulation.
Why would my doctor prescribe medication rather than encouraging all the food you recommended?
It is important to discuss with your physician before you stop your medications. Most doctors may prefer that their patients take medicine rather than other natural substitutes for the following reasons. First, herbal treatments and supplements may not be adequately covered in medical school curriculum. Second, most of the research papers on complementary medicine are published in less well-known journals and many busy physicians may not have read those papers. Third, there is concern that natural alternatives may be lacking in quality control as these are promoted as supplements and not pharmaceuticals. Lastly, an important point to note is that for anyone taking an anticoagulant, be it a medicine or natural substitute, blood tests would be required to ensure that there is prevention of clotting without bleeding.
