What foods affect inr levels?

Have you been told to keep a watch on your INR levels? Want to know how food can affect it? Sit back and let’s dive into the foods that can change your INR levels.

Understanding INR

First things first, what is an International Normalized Ratio or simply put, an INR. An INR helps measure the blood’s ability to clot correctly. It’s important for people who are on anticoagulants like Warfarin (Coumadin) as they need stable coagulation of their blood. The ideal range for most people is between 2-3 which means that it takes approximately double or triple the time to form a clot than normal.

Vitamin K Rich Foods – Enemy Number One

So why does Vitamin K have such a bad reputation when it comes to patients taking anticoagulants like Coumadin? Well, in short, vitamin K plays an essential role in helping our body create blood clots aka coagulating agents. Hence consuming too much vitamin K-rich foods will nullify the effect of warfarin leading to less efficient management of blood thinning thus increasing your risk profile.

Some common sources include spinach (the Popeye favorite), kale (it sure doesn’t help Dracula either), broccoli(there goes your mother’s recipe book), Brussels sprouts(you’ll definitely smell something brewing!) cabbage(don’t be fooled by its leafy charm), lettuce(the green queen that wasn’t so good after all) among others.

How Many Green Vegetables are Too Many?

The question then arises”how many vegetables containing Vitamin-K should one consume?” Unfortunately,the answer isn’t quite straight-forward primarily due each person having different tolerances towards our infamous enemy here,Vitamin k.However,it’s advisable for individuals using coumarins(Warfarin / Coumadin) to maintain internal consistency in the amount of vitamin-K rich vegetables they consume. Most importantly, make sure you stay explicit with your doctor on how much and which leafy vegetable suits you.

Fact-Post Warfarin Therapy

When post Warfarin therapy usage or other blood thinning medication after a length of time,leafy green vegetables do not increase INR levels resulting from medicines.However,it is still recommended that consumption be controlled.Also,avoid consuming these foods hours before taking the dosage as the effect can linger overnight increasing your risk profile.

Spices – The Dangerous Game

Not just greens but spices too can hinder Coumadins’ effectiveness. Ascorbic acid also called Vitamin C has properties that wards off Scurvy(hopeful pirates).Unfortunately here again it does more harm than good for those using anticoagulants like Warfarin.Similarly consumptions Ginger,Cinnamon,Tumeric(Offensive to all superfood categories now!),barley grass are known culprits when it comes to raising INR levels abruptly.Furthermore,supplements such as gingko and garlic fall under this category necessitating close monitoring during treatment.The downside is sometimes,you never know what’s next?

High-Fat Foods -Enemy Number Two

While fat isn’t necessarily “bad” if consumed moderately,but high-fat foods,in any amount,give cause for concern.These types of diets lower Coumadins’ effectiveness thereby increasing patients’ risks who need serious attention.You know its chicken,the batter on fried items,eggs,lard,butter(be prepared,dairy lovers),meats,fatty cuts etc.In addition,a diet high in fat encourages Clotting factors 1 & 2 producing an effect opposite from our desired outcome.Eating unhealthy amounts of these monstrosities will give pulmonologists-dentists-neurologist(if possible alone!)a field day.

Alcohol – Slayer of INR levels

That’s right folks,if you thought alcohol only affected your liver,you were wrong. People consuming excessive amounts of alcohol can experience decreased or increased INRs depending on their body constitution.Alcohol increases the effects and potency of warfarin making it act faster than needed there by reducing blood coagulation.This means that even moderate to low consumption has its risks associated with increasing treatment complications.Avoid at all costs!

What You Should Keep in Mind

Here are some golden rules if you’re under Warfarin medication:

  • Stay consistent about doses.
  • Ask your physician when observing symptoms arising from non-prescribed foods/supplements or prescribed medicines.
  • Do not consume alcohol without seeking medical advice.
  • Don’t forget, routine blood tests should be done as scheduled for proper monitoring purposes.

Stick to these pointers like glue and enjoy those veggies responsibly!

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