Blood Clotting In Heart Disease And Other Conditions

Clots are formed where there is damage to the lining of the blood vessel. Then cells, called platelets, stick to the damaged lining and release a substance that causes further clumping of platelets. This process can be modified by taking certain vitamins, minerals and fatty acids.

Conditions in which the blood clots too easily

There are several conditions in which the blood clots too easily. These include:

Taking estrogen, especially the contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy.
High blood pressure.
High blood fats.
Diseases of the small blood vessels (related to sugar intake and insulin levels in diabetes).
Strokes.
Migraines.
Asthma.
Rheumatoid arthritis.
What you can do to help

Take vitamin B 6 (40 mg per day) which reduces blood stickiness.

Take vitamin C (200 - 1,000 mg per day) which has a beneficial effect upon blood fats, particularly cholesterol, and appears to reduce blood stickiness in people with coronary heart disease.

Take vitamin E (200 - 800 IU per day) which is known to correct blood stickiness. It is a natural anticoagulant. Selenium works well with vitamin E and may also be of assistance.

NOTE: People on anticoagulant medication such as Warfarin can only take vitamin E under medical supervision because of vitamin E's natural anticoagulant properties.

Take evening primrose oil (500 mg, 2 - 8 capsules per day) which affects the factors that reduce cell stickiness.

Take Zinc (10 mg per day).

Herbs such as garlic and ginger have also been shown to be beneficial.