Fish oil supplements are recommended for many conditions, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, depression and arthritis. They're generally considered a safe addition to your wellness plans. However, no supplement is safe for everyone all the time. Your doctor may have warned you against combining fish oil supplements with blood thinning medication. This is due to fish oil's blood-thinning properties.
Fish Oil and Your Blood
Fish oil is known to reduce the viscosity of the blood, making it "thinner." For most people, this is a desired effect. Reduced viscosity means that the blood flows more efficiently through the veins and arteries, which increases circulation to the body. It also means that the tendency of the blood to clot is reduced. This is beneficial if you have had problems with blood clotting or clogged vessels.
Pharmaceutical Blood Thinners
Pharmaceutical blood thinners work differently than fish oil. These drugs are known as anticoagulants because they interfere with the clotting process of the body. If you have developed a blood clot in the past or have had certain surgical procedures, your doctor may prescribe blood thinners. These drugs are monitored very carefully so that you still have the ability to form some clots. Warfarin, also known as Coumadin, is a common anticoagulant.
Dangers of Excessive Blood Thinners
If the dosage of an anticoagulant drug is too high, your body cannot form clots when it needs to. Even a simple paper cut could keep bleeding, and deeper cuts could quickly become life-threatening. If a patient is scheduled for surgery, anticoagulant drugs will be discontinued or reduced and the patient will be asked to stop taking any other blood-thinning substance such as aspirin or fish oil.
Interactions of Fish Oil With Other Blood Thinners
If you are taking warfarin, any other anticoagulant drug or any blood-thinning medication or supplement, talk to your doctor before taking fish oil. If you notice easy bruising, frequent nose bleeds or cuts that won't stop bleeding, see your doctor immediately. These can be warning signs of a bleeding disorder.
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