can i eat spinach on warfarin

Spinach, kale, and other leafy greens are all rich in vitamin K

, which plays an essential role in forming blood clots. Warfarin (the generic name for Coumadin) helps prevent blood clots by blocking vitamin K's actions. As a result, it's important to keep your vitamin K levels stable, which, in turn, keeps your warfarin level stable.

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Can seniors eat spinach on warfarin?

TUESDAY, June 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Spinach-loving seniors, rejoice. A new study suggests that -- despite doctor warnings to the contrary -- you can eat leafy greens rich in vitamin K if you are taking the blood thinner warfarin.

What foods can you eat while on warfarin?

Whole grains, nuts and seeds, as well as vegetables that are low in vitamin K, are also acceptable and nutritious foods to eat while on warfarin. The main foods to watch or limit while taking warfarin are liver and many green, leafy vegetables because they have high amounts of vitamin K. What Is Warfarin? Warfarin and diet is a common concern.

Can you eat leafy greens on blood thinner warfarin?

A new study suggests that -- despite doctor warnings to the contrary -- you can eat leafy greens rich in vitamin K if you are taking the blood thinner warfarin. In fact, "I think all warfarin-treated patients would benefit from increasing their daily vitamin K intake," said lead author Guylaine Ferland.

What fruits should I avoid when taking warfarin?

You may need to avoid fruits high in vitamin K, like prunes, when taking warfarin. Vitamin K is a nutrient that makes the clotting factors responsible for thickening the blood — and can negate warfarin's blood-thinning effects.

What effect does spinach have on warfarin?

The reason? Spinach, kale, and other leafy greens are all rich in vitamin K, which plays an essential role in forming blood clots. Warfarin (the generic name for Coumadin) helps prevent blood clots by blocking vitamin K's actions.

Does spinach make your INR go up or down?

Because your diet is so low in vitamin K, this increase in vitamin K intake represents a huge change in your vitamin K intake for the week. For example, maybe eating the spinach salad increased your vitamin K intake by 50%. The result of this significant increase in vitamin K will be a significant drop in your INR.

What vegetables can I eat on warfarin?

Instead of avoiding eating leafy green vegetables, warfarin works best when the level of vitamin K in your body stays the same....Dark, leafy green vegetablesKale.Endive.Spinach.Mustard greens.Turnip greens.Collard greens.Swiss chard.Brussel sprouts.More items...•

What foods to avoid if you take warfarin?

Foods to limit while taking warfarinkale.spinach.brussels sprouts.parsley.collard greens.mustard greens.endive.red cabbage.More items...

Do salads increase INR?

Green, leafy vegetables, such as kale, spinach and lettuce, contain vitamin K. Suddenly increasing your consumption of these vegetables and herbs will lower your INR. A consistent diet is essential in maintaining normal INR, so avoid making drastic changes in the foods you consume.

What foods make INR go up?

Advertising & SponsorshipKale.Spinach.Brussels sprouts.Collard greens.Mustard green.Turnip greens.Swiss chard.Broccoli.More items...

Can you eat potatoes while taking warfarin?

This doesn't mean that you have to avoid these vegetables, however; you simply need to consume approximately the same amount each day. You can also choose from low vitamin K vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, celery, peas, peeled cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, tomatoes and zucchini.

Do grapes affect warfarin?

The muscadine grape family contains large quantities of flavonoids, including quercetin, suggesting the possibility of a flavonoid-induced drug interaction with warfarin. This interaction may have implications for other patients consuming muscadine grapes and even those taking quercetin supplements.

Can I eat strawberries on warfarin?

Berries, including strawberries, naturally contain a significant amount of a compound called salicylates. Salicylates are natural blood thinners. For those taking prescription blood thinners, such as Warfarin, you may need to limit your intake of strawberries to avoid bruising and bleeding.

Can I eat cheese while on warfarin?

Foods You Can Eat on a Warfarin Diet On the positive side, patients are able to consume many foods considered safe if they are taking any anticoagulants. These are the foods that are considered safe to consume: Meat, fish, and eggs. Milk, cheese, and yogurt.

Does chocolate affect warfarin?

I have not seen any reports of chocolate having an effect on INR levels in those who take Coumadin® (warfarin). There was a small study published a few years back showing that the antioxidants in dark chocolate might have an effect on platelet activity, inhibiting them from clotting.

Can I eat carrots while on warfarin?

Romaine lettuce and iceberg lettuce are low enough in the vitamin that most people can eat either variety every day. Other low-vitamin K foods to eat while taking coumadin include the vegetables below: Tomatoes. Carrots.

Does green vegetables increase INR?

This way, you can maintain you INR as stable as possible. However, if you never eat green vegetables, you don't have Vitamin K stores, so if you eat a good amount of green vegetables one day, you'll experience a “peak” of Vitamin K, which will then destabilize your INR.

Is spinach high in vitamin K?

What is high in vitamin K? The most common foods with high vitamin K are green leafy vegetables such as kale, collard greens, broccoli, spinach, cabbage, and lettuce.

How can I lower my INR?

Vitamin K works against warfarin. If you eat more vitamin K, it can lower your INR. If you eat less vitamin K, it can raise your INR.

What type of vitamin K is in spinach?

Share on Pinterest Cooked spinach is high in vitamin K-1. There are two types of vitamin K: vitamin K-1 and vitamin K-2. Vitamin K-1 is present in a higher number of foods and is particularly abundant in green vegetables and the oils of some plants.

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Is vitamin K good for warfarin?

As a result, it's important to keep your vitamin K levels stable, which, in turn, keeps your warfarin level stable. If your warfarin level gets too low, you risk a dangerous blood clot. If it's too high, you risk a serious bleeding problem. To continue reading this article, you must log in.

What vegetables are good for warfarin?

Fruits can provide a significant amount of vitamin K, but it's also important to monitor vegetables when taking warfarin. Green, leafy vegetables are some of the best sources of vitamin K and can provide more than 200 percent of the daily value.

How much broccoli should I eat a day?

A half-cup serving of Brussels sprouts or 1 cup of lettuce and broccoli also provides a significant amount of vitamin K and should be limited to three servings or fewer each day. Advertisement.

Can grapefruit juice be used with warfarin?

However, in regard to grapefruit juice, you may want to be a little more cautious. Always report any changes in your diet to your physician and get your recommended regular blood testing to help you and your doctor monitor how warfarin and your diet are working together.

Can you take prunes with warfarin?

You may need to avoid fruits high in vitamin K, like prunes, when taking warfarin.

Can you drink grapefruit juice with warfarin?

Grapefruit juice and cranberry juice are sometimes of concern to patients taking warfarin. However, recent studies indicate that consuming 4 to 6 ounces of cranberry juice doesn't cause significant interactions. However, in regard to grapefruit juice, you may want to be a little more cautious.

What is the best vitamin to take while taking warfarin?

It's important to pay attention to what you eat while taking warfarin. One nutrient that can lessen warfarin's effectiveness is vitamin K. It's important to be consistent in how much vitamin K you get daily. The adequate intake level of vitamin K for adult men is 120 micrograms (mcg). For adult women, it's 90 mcg.

How to reduce the effect of warfarin?

One nutrient that can lessen warfarin's effectiveness is vitamin K. It's important to be consistent in how much vitamin K you get daily. The adequate intake level of vitamin K for adult men is 120 micrograms (mcg). For adult women, it's 90 mcg. While eating small amounts of foods that are rich in vitamin K shouldn't cause a problem, avoid consuming large amounts of certain foods or drinks, including: 1 Kale 2 Spinach 3 Brussels sprouts 4 Collards 5 Mustard greens 6 Chard 7 Broccoli 8 Asparagus 9 Green tea

What to do if you can't eat for a few days?

Alcohol. Talk to your doctor before making any major changes in your diet and before starting any over-the-counter medications, vitamins or herbal supplements. If you are unable to eat for several days or have ongoing stomach upset, diarrhea or fever, consult your doctor. With. Sheldon G. Sheps, M.D.

Can you eat vitamin K?

While eating small amounts of foods that are rich in vitamin K shouldn't cause a problem, avoid consuming large amounts of certain foods or drinks, including: Certain drinks can increase the effect of warfarin, leading to bleeding problems.

Is there a diet for warfarin?

Warfarin is a blood-thinning medication that helps treat and prevent blood clots. There is no specific warfarin diet. However, certain foods and beverages can make warfarin less effective in preventing blood clots. It's important to pay attention to what you eat while taking warfarin.

Foods You Can Eat on a Warfarin Diet

On the positive side, patients are able to consume many foods considered safe if they are taking any anticoagulants. These are the foods that are considered safe to consume:

What are blood thinners?

Also known as anticoagulants. These are medicines that help prevent blood clots. These drugs work by interrupting the process involved in the formation of blood clots. And this interruption can significantly decrease your risk of blood clotting, but will not decrease the risk to zero.

Why do people take warfarin?

Other factors that increase the chances of a blood clot include: obesity. pregnancy. long periods of inactivity. smoking. irregular heartbeat. trauma. older age.

What are the risks of taking warfarin?

A doctor may prescribe warfarin to someone who has had a blood clot in the past, as they are at a higher risk of blood clots in the future. Other factors that increase the chances of a blood clot include: 1 obesity 2 pregnancy 3 long periods of inactivity 4 smoking 5 irregular heartbeat 6 trauma 7 older age 8 chronic inflammatory diseases 9 diabetes 10 high blood pressure 11 high cholesterol

How does warfarin work?

Warfarin works by slowing the production of clotting factors, which the body makes by using vitamin K from food. Levels of vitamin K in a person’s diet could influence the effects of warfarin. It is possible that vitamin-K rich diets can reduce the effectiveness of warfarin.

Does vitamin K help with warfarin?

Keeping vitamin K levels stable, and within a normal range, may reduce its effect on the actions of warfarin. Keeping a food diary and being aware of foods that are high in vitamin K can help a person keep track.

Is it bad to drink alcohol while taking warfarin?

Drinking too much alcohol can be particularly harmful for people taking warfarin . A study of 570 people in 2015 found that alcohol misuse has links to a higher risk of major bleeding in people taking warfarin.

What Is Warfarin?

Warfarin and diet is a common concern. Warfarin is sold under the brand names Coumadin and Jantoven. It's a prescription drug used to prevent blood clots, says the American Heart Association.

What vegetables are low in vitamin K?

An array of vegetables contain lower amounts of vitamin K, reports the Cleveland Clinic. Romaine lettuce and iceberg lettuce are low enough in the vitamin that most people can eat either variety every day. Other low-vitamin K foods to eat while taking coumadin include the vegetables below: Tomatoes. Carrots.

Is warfarin an anticoagulant?

Since warfarin suppresses blood-clot formation, it's called an anticoagulant. Although some people refer to anticoagulants as blood thinners, they don't actually thin the blood; instead, they slow the blood-clotting action, notes the AHA.

Does warfarin need vitamin K?

If your diet contains a large amount of vitamin K foods, you may need a higher dose of warfarin. Conversely, if your diet contains fewer vitamin K foods, you may need a lower dose of the medication.

Does warfarin cause bleeding?

The main problem associated with warfarin is excessive bleeding, which can occur in any part of the body, notes the American Heart Association. Report any accidents or falls, along with unusual bruising or signs of bleeding, to your doctor.

Can you drink green tea with warfarin?

If you take warfarin, you should be careful with certain beverages. Refrain from drinking large amounts of green tea because it contains vitamin K, advocates the Mayo Clinic. Alcohol and cranberry juice can increase the effectiveness of warfarin and cause bleeding, so either avoid them or limit your intake to small amounts.

Can you take vitamin K with warfarin?

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, it's best to avoid all herbal supplements and teas when taking warfarin. Common supplements, such as garlic, ginger root and fish oil, can interfere with the medication.

What is coumadin (warfarin)?

An anticoagulant: Used for conditions that cause or predispose someone to abnormal coagulant states such atrial fibrillation, mechanical heart valves or clots in leg or... Read More

What are the dangers of having high levels of coumadin (warfarin)?

Bleeding: Excessive bleeding is the danger of too much coumadin (warfarin). Bleeding into the skin can cause bruising and pain. Into muscle can cause a hemato... Read More

Does hoodia interfere with coumadin/warfarin?

No: I can find no report of a drug interaction. You should be aware that many products marketed as hoodia actually have no hoodia in them.

Can i use alegra d if i'm in coumadin (warfarin)?

AllegraD / warfarin : I can find no warnings in the epocrates database for either fexfenadine or pseudoephedrine, the two ingredients in Allegra (fexofenadine) d regarding ... Read More

Is 4.6 INR higher than desired?

Follow doctor's: advise. INR of 4.6 is higher than desired. Do not change your diet without checking with your doctor as you could easily go in the opposite direction ... Read More

Does Coumadin cause dehydration?

Coumadin (warfarin): No. It doesn't cause dehydration.

Is drinking ok on coumadin (warfarin)?

Yes, it: You don't drink to the point of falling and hurting yourself.