Prevent and reduce blood clots: a natural approach

***Before I begin, it is important for me to say the following: Do not try to manage high platelets or prevent or reduce blood clots on your own. Work with your physician.

There are a multiple ways to monitor for clotting. Today I am mainly focused on platelets. Platelet count can be found on standard blood work that your physician would typically do during an annual checkup – called the Complete Blood Count, or CBC.

Platelets are involved in clot formation, but also play a key part in other processes such as inflammation, thrombosis, and atherosclerosis

A few causes of elevated platelets:

Temporary
- Recovering from a recent injury or blood loss after surgery
- Intense physical activity, such as from running a marathon
- Birth control pills
Malignancy
Infection
Iron deficiency anemia
Conditions associated with inflammation

I encourage you to read the following website page for info on blood clot risk factors (including lifestyle habits, age, family history, long trips, cardiovascular problems), signs to notice that could potentially indicate a blood clot, and simple ways to prevent them:
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, an official website of the Dept of Health and Human Services – https://www.ahrq.gov/patients-consumers/prevention/disease/bloodclots.html

More prevention tips can be found through the CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/features/prevent-blood-clots.html

Antiplatelet medications have been used for some time to prevent thrombosis. They are classified in different categories depending on their mechanism of action.

Here’s a statement that leads into my next points:
“Severe cardiovascular disease conditions lead to acute myocardial infarction and stroke. One of the reasons for this is formation of blood clots inside the vessel. Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs are used for managing cardiovascular diseases for a long time. However, they were unable to dissolve an existing thrombus. Fibrinolytic enzymes have become more substantial for treating cardiovascular diseases since they could lyse the fibrin clot within the blood vessel.”
Fibrinolytic Enzymes for Thrombolytic Therapy – Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 2019 – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31482506/

Here are a few examples of fibrinolytic enzymes:

Serrapeptase – comes from the bacteria species living on silkworms; proteolytic enzyme; reduces inflammation and helps to inhibit plaque buildup in arteries; also can be useful for carpal tunnel syndrome; helps dissolve clots and reduce cysts
Serratiopeptidase – its properties include being anti-inflammatory, anti-biofilm, and analgesic
Nattokinase – Made from soiled soybeans and added bacillus natto. Natto has been around for 1000 years in Japan. It enhances body’s natural ability to dissolve fibrin, and enhances the body’s production of plasmin and urokinase, which also help breakdown clots. Certain brands may also contain natural ACE inhibitors and thus be supportive in lowering blood pressure.
Lumbrokinase – from earthworms; reduces ESR, CRP – both inflammatory lab markers

Beyond fibrinolytic enzymes, there are other natural substances that can support preventing thrombosis.

Vitamin E

Found in: nuts, seeds, wheat germ, avocados
Anti-coagulant – blocks platelets from sticking together
Alpha tocopherol form is blood thinning
Alpha tocotrienols of Vitamin E aid in preventing cerebral ischemia and protects against stroke
Antioxidant, protects LDL from oxidation

Omega 3 fatty acids

Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids – Reduce measures of platelet aggregation and activation
Can reduce triglyceride and very-low-density lipoprotein levels
Reduces inflammation – I use Omega 3s frequently with my clients for digestive issues and other conditions with a significant inflammatory component. This would be just part of a comprehensive approach to their health.

Garlic

Anticoagulant, antithrombotic
Hypotensive, hypoglycemic, helps to increase HDL, liver protective
Support immune function; antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic properties
Therapeutic properties not necessarily received by adding it to your cooking. Work with a doctor well-versed in herbs, such as a naturopathic doctor, to gain the specific benefits you are seeking from garlic

Gingko

Increases blood flow peripherally to the limbs and brain
Aantithrombotic, antiatherosclerotic, antagonist to platelet activating factor
Enhances cognitive function: mental performance, memory
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory

*** Do not try to manage high platelets or prevent or reduce blood clots on your own. Work with your physician.

If you are seeking help with prevention, blood pressure, kidney function, or digestive issues (bloating, gas, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, food sensitivities), schedule a consultation by: