• Garlic has been used for health benefits for centuries
• Garlic can be used as a natural blood thinner
• Blood thinners can reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes
• Garlic can cause serious complications for some people by thinning the blood too much

Most of us have heard about the health benefits of garlic. However, one of those benefits can be a blessing and a curse. That benefit is garlic’s natural blood thinner properties. For many people, this property could be a life saver. For others, taking garlic can actually cause potentially fatal health complications. Below is important information to help you decide whether you should be including garlic or garlic supplements in your diet.

Background on Garlic

While we tend to think of garlic as a savory taste-enhancer for Italian cuisine, the truth is this food has been used for centuries in health remedies. Some research has shown that even the ancient Egyptians were using garlic. In more recent times, people believed garlic could help ward off the plague, gangrene, and other health problems. While we can’t know if garlic was the miracle cure those people were hoping for, we do know that science has seen a lot of potential in garlic to provide important health benefits.

The antioxidant properties found in garlic may help prevent the formation of cancer. Garlic has also been shown to have some impact on cardiovascular disease and related conditions, including high cholesterol. The herb also contains nine properties which are known to prevent blood coagulation which brings us to the main point.

The Benefits of Blood Thinners

If you suffer from thick blood or if you are at a high risk of developing blood clots, a blood thinner is almost essential for your continued good health. Garlic, for example, will make the blood thinner and less likely to clot which means it will flow smoother through the arteries thus increasing blood circulation for people. Thinner blood is also less likely to clot so blockages in the arteries are less likely to occur. A reduced risk of clots also means that you’ll have less risks of strokes (caused when a clot breaks loose and ends up in the brain) or of a heart attack (can occur when a clot blocks blood flow to the heart).

Blood thinners are most frequently prescribed for people who have had a history of clotting problems and/or strokes. In some cases, surgeons will suggest the use of blood thinners following some types of surgery. If you fall into these categories, garlic might be a good choice.

The Risks of Garlic & Blood Thinning

While some people can benefit from the blood thinning action of garlic, it can be risky to consume in large quantities if you are already on a prescribed blood thinner. The combination can cause the blood to become so thin that you bleed too much. This can lead to hemorrhaging and even to death due to blood loss. For this reason, patients should never combine artificial and natural blood thinners without discussing the decision with a physician first.

If you normally take garlic for blood thinning, you should stop if you are about to have surgery or if you are pregnant. At both times, too thin blood could put you at a greater risk of serious complications.

• Understanding the process of blood clotting
• Dangers of blood clots in arteries exposed
• Ginger as an alternative way to deal with thick blood

Coagulation or blood clotting is the process of blood particles coming together to form a clot. The process of coagulation happens when particles known as blood platelets combine together. This process is known as platelet aggregation, and it is an essential part of the healing of wounds.

When a small blood vessel is injured, blood platelets combine together and adhere to the edges of the injury, and eventually form a “plug” that protects the area by covering it. This blood clot is effectively a natural bandage that prevents any further blood loss. Once the injury has been repaired, the plug is broken down as the body releases substances in order to do so.

Although blood clotting is an essential natural process, platelet aggregation can have serious consequences when it happens within the circulatory system. For example, when platelets group together in an artery, the clots that they form can separate from the wall of the blood vessel. This in turn can cause blood flow to be reduced or even blocked which can cause heart attack or stroke.

Anti-coagulants or blood thinners can be described by doctors or health care professionals for those who might be at risk from cardiovascular disease and blood clots. Drug treatments such as Warfarin (known as Coumadin), and Clopidogrel (known as Plavix) which inhibits platelet aggregation, are often prescribed to prevent these dangerous clots. Aspirin may also be recommended for its anti-coagulant properties, and it is very commonly taken. Consumption of aspirin can increase the risk of peptic ulcers and/or gastrointestinal bleeding.

For patients who are seeking an alternative to conventional blood thinner medication, research has shown that there are a number of natural substances and blood thinning foods that may inhibit platelet aggregation safely and without side effects.

Ginger

Ginger is rich in beta-carotene, volatile oils, amino acids, essential fatty acids, potassium, resins, iron, manganese, magnesium, selenium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, B-vitamins and gingerols. It has traditionally had many medicinal applications including as natural cure for high blood pressure, as well as being a food that thins blood.

Scientific studies have shown that ginger (also known as Zingiber officinale) is an effective anti-coagulant. The process of platelet aggregation is instigated by an inflammatory substance formed within the body and known as arachidonic acid. A research study carried out in Australia looked at the ability of the constituent substances in ginger to stop or reduce platelet activation induced by arachidonic acid in human blood. They also compared and contrasted the anti-coagulant properties of ginger with those of aspirin.

The report concluded that the constituent substances in ginger could indeed prevent blood platelets from adhering together. This might be due to the inhibition of the enzyme COX-1. The report also concluded that ginger compounds and the derivatives of ginger are more effective as anti-platelet agents than aspirin.

As ginger is a natural blood thinner, you should discuss its use with your doctor or health car professional, especially if you are currently taking prescription blood thinning medication.

• Natural blood thinners work to improve circulation and reduce the risk of blood clot formation
• One such natural blood thinner is fish oil. Fish oil is known for its omega-3 fatty acids and is taken to improve heart health
• If you think you may need blood thinning medication or supplements contact your doctor

Natural blood thinners can be a good way to assist your body with blood flow. Blood thinning can improve circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots forming. This in turn can reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack as well as many other cardiovascular conditions.

In addition, natural blood thinners may be advantageous as the long term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (known as “NSAIDs”) and aspirin can be harmful to your health.

Natural blood thinners are not drugs but are substances which occur naturally in plants and animals. Natural blood thinners can mimic the beneficial effects of aspirin, but do not cause any of the negative side effects. Aspirin operates by reducing the clotting properties of blood, the effect of which is to thin the blood. This allows the blood to flow more easily. As a result, low doses of aspirin may be given to recent victims of a heart attack in order to help prevent a further heart attack.

However scientific research has shown that the body can develop a natural resistance to the effects of aspirin over time, and this can lessen or cancel out the benefits.

Fortunately, there are natural blood thinners that can be just as effective if not more so in reducing inflammation and contributing to the efficiency and ease of blood flow through the body. The best part is they have none of the side effects of blood thinner drugs like aspirin and NSAIDs. Also, continued use of aspirin may cause side effects such as stomach bleeding, tinnitus and gastrointestinal ulcers. These side effects are more common with higher doses.

Role of Fish Oil as a Natural Blood Thinner

Fish oils are well known for their health giving properties. In particular, omega 3 fatty acids are often taken in order to improve heart health. Nutritionists and health professionals have recommended Omega 3 fatty acids for years, and fish oil has probably been the most popularly recommended source.

Fish oil contains two substances that can be of therapeutic benefit, namely DHA and EPA. These are two fatty acids which among all the fatty acids, are the most easily absorbed by your body. They are more readily absorbed than other sources of healthy fats such as the ALA in flax seed oil. DHA and EPA are known to help reduce any inflammation in the blood, and they also have many other heart health benefits. Good sources of omega 3 fatty acids include fish such as herring, salmon, trout, mackerel, anchovies and albacore tuna.

If you think you might need blood thinning medication or supplements, the safest course is to contact your doctor or health care professional. If you are already receiving prescription medication to thin your blood and/or to prevent clotting (known as anticoagulant drugs) you should exercise caution to ensure that you do not ingest to many food types or supplements that contain substances that possess natural blood thinning properties.

Ideally, blood coagulation within your body should be within a healthy range. If your blood coagulates too readily, blood clots are more likely to form, leading to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. If blood does not clot readily enough, conditions such as nosebleeds, hematuria (which causes blood in the urine), hemorrhages and heavy periods in women may occur.

• Policosanol can help to improve cardiovascular problems
• Policosanol comes from the wax of a sugar cane is supposed to lower LDL cholesterol numbers. Some research also suggests it could increase HDL cholesterol
• Policosanol can also work as a natural blood thinner

Most people today are very concerned about their risks of developing heart disease and other cardiovascular problems. As a result, they are constantly on the lookout for alternative medications or treatments that could help improve their health and possibly save them from these serious complications down the road. One of those alternatives is policosanol.

What is Policosanol?

Policosanol comes from the wax of sugar cane. The wax is consumed as a supplement that is supposed to help improve heart health by lowering LDL numbers. Unlike other sources of policosanol, such as beeswax and wheat, only the sugar cane variety is believed to be effective in reducing cholesterol levels.

LDL (low-density lipoproteins) plays an important role in the development of heart disease because they can build up in blood and cause the formation of plague in the arteries. Not only is policosanol supposedly able to reduce the amount of LDL in the body but it can also help reduce the damage caused by existing LDL build-ups. Some research also suggested that the plant chemicals could increase HDL cholesterol which also helps combat LDL in the body.

Additionally, policosanol may help decrease the viscosity of the blood so it is not as thick. That means it will keep flowing smoothly.

Does Policosanol Work?

The big question, of course, is does this plant wax work? Initially, most people would have said that it did. A large number of double-blind studies were emerging from Cuba where the product originated showing impressive numbers. Some of the studies showed LDL reductions by as much as 30% and HDL increases by around 28%. Unfortunately, the reliability of those first studies was questioned because they were conducted by the company which owns the patent for policosanol.

Additional studies have been done outside of Cuba in an effort to recreate those amazing results, but the findings have not been promising. One German study found that the LDL reduction provided by policosanol was no better than that of placebos given to 192 subjects over the course of twelve weeks. And that’s even when combined with a diet intended to reduce cholesterol levels, too.

Another study involving nearly 150 subjects located throughout the world also failed to find the promised improvements associated with policosanol.

The Verdict

While the research does seem to suggest that policosonal may not be the wonder drug that reduces cholesterol, that doesn’t mean it has no health benefits. No thorough investigation has yet been done to disprove claims that it decreases the viscosity of the blood – a feat which in itself has significant health benefits. Furthermore, the studies did not explore the plant chemical’s affect on the scar tissue that resulted from a previous plague build-up in the body.

Taking policosonal simply to reduce your LDL numbers might not be the wisest choice given the most recent research but if you are interested in these other benefits and suffer no side effects from taking the supplements then it might be worth the effort after all, at least until the next round of research comes out.

• Blood thinners are used to stop platelets from forming clots. Natural blood thinner works to decrease crp and inflammation. In doing so, it increases circulation
• They can be divided into four groups: foods with high amounts of salicylates (to help block vitamin K absorption), supplements containing vitamin E , omega-3 fatty acids and additional various groups

Blood thinner, also known as an anti-coagulant, is being used to stop platelets from forming clots. Platelets (thrombocytes) are colorless cells in the blood that help blood clot. Platelets clump together and form plugs in blood vessel holes to stop blood loss.

Fortunately, there are natural blood thinners that may be just as effective (if not even more) in decreasing crp and inflammation and easing blood flow throughout the body.

Certain supplements and foods are known to thin blood. Usually, they can be divided into four groups:
• Foods with high amounts of salicylates (such as aspirin and like substances)
• Supplements containing vitamin E
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Additional groups (selected foods with compounds that thin blood)

It is essential to keep in mind that blood-thinning foods are not wanted for every single individual. For example, people who have been prescribed anticoagulant drugs should not be taking in too much of these blood-thinning foods in addition to their prescription(s), as it might lead to serious health risks or damage.
The main rule to stick to when trying to thin blood is to focus on decreasing protein and fat consumption.
Salicylates are aspirin-like substances. Their brightest representatives are aspirin itself and some flavorings. These substances help block vitamin K absorption. Vitamin K plays an important role in the body during the process of blood clotting.

Foods that are generally high in salicylates include:

• many types of spices and flavorings (oregano, cinnamon, paprika, licorice, ginger, turmeric, peppermint, dill, thyme, as well as curry powder and cayenne pepper). Besides, research shows that cayenne pepper reduces blood cholesterol levels.
• most fruits (grapes, raisins, oranges, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, tangerines and prunes)
• nuts
• and some others salicylate-rich foods (wine, chewing gum, peppermints, vinegar, honey, orange juice, cider, broccoli, avocados, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, wild carrot, wild lettuce, and cabbage).

When thinning the blood, blood circulation increases, so metabolism increases. When this happens, the body becomes warmer.

Fish oil consists of two important and therapeutic omega-3 fats: DHA and EPA. These are absorbed rapidly by the body and may help to decrease blood inflammation. Other benefits to heart health are also provided by DHA and EPA.
Generally, the omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish (salmon, herring, mackerel, lake trout, albacore tuna and anchovies), flax seed oil, walnuts, canola oil, and pumpkin seeds.

Vitamin E is considered to be a great natural blood thinner. It is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps protect essential fatty acids and vitamin A from oxidation in the cells of the body and it prevents the breakdown of body tissues.
Good sources of vitamin E are found in the following groups:
• Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts and pistachios.
• Vegetable oils like corn, peanut, canola, sunflower, sesame, cottonseed, rice bran, and palm oils.
• Legumes, grains and oil seeds including chickpeas, lentils, wheat, rice, northern beans and oats.
• Oils from wheat germ and extracted from wheat germ. This oil has been used since the 1920s as a great source of a vitamin E.

And if you want all of these blood thinning components in one place, why not to try all natural Blood Circulator solution? Find out more about this heart health supplement.