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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Green Leafy Vegetables Be Consumed While Taking Warfarin?

Hello How are you fine i hope my question is can you eat greens & such that have vitamin k when you are taking warfarin i heard you can but with consistency everyday not a whole bunch 1 day & then a little or none the next my friend said that vit k thickens the blood i thought it thins
thanks & GOD bless :)
Wed, 4 Nov 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi & Welcome.
I can understand your concern regarding the safety of Warfarin while consuming green leafy vegetables.

Warfarin is a blood thinner that helps treat & prevent blood clots.
It does so by inhibiting the synthesis of clotting factors which need Vitamin K for their activation.
Certain foods like green leafy vegetables (Spinach, Kale, Brussels sprouts, Parsley, Collard greens, or Mustard greens) and green tea which are rich in Vitamin K and thus can reduce the blood thinning capacity of Warfarin, hence should not be consumed in large amounts.

On the other hands certain drinks like Cranberry juice and Alcohol can increase the effects of Warfarin, leading to bleeding problems.
Avoid or drink only small amounts of these drinks when taking Warfarin.

Hope this answers your query.
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Can Green Leafy Vegetables Be Consumed While Taking Warfarin?

Hi & Welcome. I can understand your concern regarding the safety of Warfarin while consuming green leafy vegetables. Warfarin is a blood thinner that helps treat & prevent blood clots. It does so by inhibiting the synthesis of clotting factors which need Vitamin K for their activation. Certain foods like green leafy vegetables (Spinach, Kale, Brussels sprouts, Parsley, Collard greens, or Mustard greens) and green tea which are rich in Vitamin K and thus can reduce the blood thinning capacity of Warfarin, hence should not be consumed in large amounts. On the other hands certain drinks like Cranberry juice and Alcohol can increase the effects of Warfarin, leading to bleeding problems. Avoid or drink only small amounts of these drinks when taking Warfarin. Hope this answers your query.