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Foods which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids have blood thinning properties as well as help in reducing the risk of forming blood clots. Having any one rich source of omega 3 fatty acids per day is optimum to prevent blood clots. The foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include fish like mackerel, salmon, lake trout and herring whereas plant sources like flax seeds, cold-pressed oils, and walnuts are the richest in these acids. This could be achieved by eating a serving of fatty fish like salmon, having a handful of walnuts or flaxseed mixed to your favourite morning cereal or tossing your salads in a spoonful of cold-pressed canola or soybean oil. This news will instantly bring a smile on a chocoholic's face. Researchers at the John Hopkins institute have found that having about two tablespoons of dark chocolate helps in preventing clots. Dark chocolate contain a metabolite called flavonoids. Flavonoids help to keep the blood thin, working in a manner similar to aspirin. They are natural phytochemicals found in plants. However, a word of caution here is to consume these dark chocolates keeping its accompanying ingredients like butter and sugar to a minimum quantity. Vitamin E also has plenty of flavonoids. Avocados, spinach, almonds, peanuts are good sources of vitamin E. Pomegranates contain phytochemicals that play the role of antioxidants in shielding the arteries from getting damaged. This antioxidant rich fruit stimulates the body to produce nitric oxide in abundance which in turn enables the uninterrupted flow of blood and keeping the arteries unclogged.Grapefruit contains pectin which is a soluble fiber. This fiber may cut down the cholesterol. This also minimizes the chances of atherosclerosis. Fruits contain vitamins and nutrients that help keep your body healthy, so they're a great addition to your diet. Cranberries, grapes, and cherries all offer specific nutrients that support good artery health. Incorporate these fruits into your menu several days a week. Eating potassium rich cranberries may lower the LDL and increase HDL. The overall risk of heart related diseases may decrease. Red grapes are excellent source of lutein. Lutein is a carotenoid that reduces the chances of arteriosclerosis. This may prevents/reduces the chances of thickening of the carotid artery in the neck region. Cherries have many elements that may help keep your arteries healthy. They also have fiber that may be beneficial in lowering cholesterol. Vitamin K is essential for healthy blood clotting, so you want to make sure you get enough of it. Talk to your doctor to find out how much vitamin K you need, then try to get it from food. If you take the blood thinner Warfarin, you need to eat a consistent amount of vitamin K daily because vitamin K can affect how fast your blood clots. If you need to change how much vitamin K you're eating, talk to your doctor before you do so. Prothrombin time is an indicator of the time that the blood will take to clot. The test to monitor this time is called PT INR. Foods rich in Vitamin K include green leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, mustard greens, collard greens, turnip greens, broccoli, romaine lettuce, brussel sprouts and canola and soybean oils. (Avoid these leafy greens if you are Factor 5 Leiden!) These may provide thorough protection in the form of antioxidants present in both in abundance. Polyphenols (flavonoids in green tea) are very potent antioxidants that contain the right tool to help prevent formation of blood clots in the arteries in the form of procyanidins. Hawthorn tea may reduce blood pressure and assist in the restoration and retention of the blood vessel elasticity. These procyanidins may contribute to the development of healthy heart and blood vessels protecting tissues called endothelium. Both of these have exceptionally high levels of carotenoid lycopene, an antioxidant that is equipped to help cut the risk of atherosclerosis. As for sweet potatoes, they may help maintain blood pressure at optimal levels. They are exceptionally high in cholesterol lowering components such as fiber, beta carotene, folate, vitamin C and potassium. Garbanzo beans contain both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. They are effective in removing cholesterol containing bile from the body and also in averting heart related diseases. Natto is one of the traditional foods of the Japanese. It is prepared with soybeans that have been fermented using the benign bacteria 'Bacillus subtilis'. It is enriched with nattokinase, an enzyme that works amazingly on blood clots. It not only dissolves them but may inhibits the formation of new ones. Present in pineapples is an enzyme called 'bromelain' that is a clot-buster and also possesses the properties to dissolve/disintegrate the fibrin that is responsible for the aggregation of platelets. Bromelain dissolves the fibrin in blood clots by stimulating the production of plasmin. It assists in keeping away the platelets from sticking to the endothelium (blood vessels wall). Kiwis possess the properties to reduce blood clotting, too. They are enriched with nutrients and minerals such as vitamin C, potassium, copper, magnesium and fiber. They have anti-inflammatory properties too!
Pile on the omega-3s to help thin your blood. Guiltlessly go for dark chocolate. Go for pomegranate and grapefruit to protect your arteries. Eat more cranberries, grapes, and cherries to support healthy arteries. Monitor your intake of vitamin K. Get more antioxidants by drinking green tea and Hawthorn tea. Eat tomatoes and sweet potatoes to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Eat more garbanzo beans and natto for fiber. Load up on pineapple and kiwi to prevent platelets from clotting.