Coumadin (Warfarin) Facts - The Highs and Lows

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin, so it is stored in the body's fat tissue and liver. It is best known for its role in helping blood clot (coagulate) properly (the "K" comes from its German name, Koagulationsvitamin). Vitamin K also plays an important role in bone health. This definition was taken from the University of Maryland Medical Center Website.

Green Tea is loaded with Vitamin K. Over the last few years we have learned that Green Tea is a great source of antioxidants and is very good for our bodies. However, for Coumadin (Warfarin) patients it will take your level from therapeutic to un-therapeutic in a few hours. Just one cup is like taking a Vitamin K pill. I do recommend drinking a glass of green tea if you need to lower your level for surgery. Otherwise if you are a Coumadin (Warfarin) patient I would NOT drink Green Tea!

Vitamin K is found mostly in leafy green vegetables such as spinach, swiss chard, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, broccoli, and brussels sprouts. These veggies are very high in Vitamin K, however it doesn't mean you can never eat them. It means that you have to be consistent in the amount of green leafy veggies that you eat on a daily basis. Limit your amount and make sure to inform your doctor so that for the first few weeks you can monitor your level until you become therapeutic. I personally love to eat green veggies so I take a little more Coumadin (Warfarin) on a daily basis. Eating heart healthy is very important for most people and a daily serving of vegetables is part of eating healthy. Just know that you have to take all of this into consideration when you are taking Coumadin (Warfarin).

Some fruits such as avocado, kiwifruit and grapes are also high in vitamin K. These fruits are yummy and some of my favorites, but just like the green leafy vegetables you have to be careful of how much of these you eat. Everything in moderation!

Who Knew? Fish is a great protein to include in a heart health diet. In the world today Sushi is a popular cuisine. My husband and I love to eat sushi. But the Nori (green sushi paper) that sushi bars use to make the rolls with is one of the highest edible items in Vitamin K that you can eat. It is the green leafy vegetable of the sea! So to prevent this from plummeting your Coumadin (Warfarin) level ask your sushi chef to make your roll with soy paper. This will not effect your Coumadin (Warfarin) level at all and you can still enjoy that yummy sushi roll!

This was a surprise to me... Cranberries and Cranberry Juice can increase you Coumadin (Warfarin) level. These are a natural anticoagulant and can make your blood thin. If your level is too low try drinking a glass or two of Cranberry Juice. It is not as potent as increasing your dosage and I do not recommend this as a substitute. If your level is too high this will make it higher so do not eat or drink anything with cranberries if you are too high.