Diet Restrictions When Taking Coumadin

Coumadin, also known as warfarin, is a medication useful in the prevention of blood clots. The foods you eat and the beverages you drink may be interfering with the way Coumadin is acting on your blood. Your diet should help slow the progression of any heart disease as well as conform to the needs of your Coumadin prescription.

How Blood Clots

Coagulation, or the action of blood clotting, occurs through two pathways. Extrinsic clotting happens when the clotting mechanism begins from factors other than blood, as when platelets stick to the damage on a blood vessel wall. Intrinsic clotting begins when the clotting factors inside the blood initiate coagulation. Regardless of the mechanism, though, each pathway requires a variety of clotting factors. Each clotting factor prompts the next, all leading to the eventual formation of a fibrin polymer, which makes up a blood clot. Each clotting factor must be made with vitamin K, it is an integral part of the body's natural blood coagulation.

Coumadin and Blood Clotting

Coumadin reduces the instance of blood clotting, which can help control atherosclerosis, stroke or clots in the lungs or legs. Coumadin works by inhibiting the effect of vitamin K. As vitamin K is inhibited, so is the production of clotting factors, reducing the likelihood of coagulation. The most important food restriction you will have on Coumadin concerns foods containing vitamin K.

Vitamin K Intake

Vitamin K should not be off limits while you are taking Coumadin. The best course of action is to keep your vitamin K intake consistent. Any high or low variations with your intake can affect efficacy of Coumadin. Too much vitamin K can blunt Coumadin's affects. In contrast, too little vitamin K may increase the effect of the medication, making your blood even less likely to clot. Men require about 120 micrograms of vitamin K daily, while women need 90 micrograms per day. Foods that contain a large amount of vitamin K are leafy green vegetables such as kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, parsley, chard and broccoli.

Beverages

You should also be cautious of certain beverages while on Coumadin. Both cranberry juice, as well as alcohol may increase the effects of Coumadin. Try to limit or restrict the amount of these beverages you consume while you are on this drug.