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How can food affect my blood clotting?

Here’s the good news

Many of the blood’s clotting factors are found in the liver. The liver’s cells need vitamin K to produce clotting factors, and around half of the body’s vitamin K comes from the food we eat. Without enough vitamin K, blood clotting is impaired. Certain medications, such as Warfarin, act to stop the body from using vitamin K, slowing down coagulation. This is sometimes done in a controlled way for therapeutic purposes.

People taking anticoagulants are often uncertain of what they are allowed to eat. But here’s the good news: there are no longer any strict dietary rules for people taking oral anticoagulants. It is enough to ensure your diet is balanced, and to avoid overindulging in food and drink. This is not only true for foods rich in vitamin K, but also for various other diets.

Source: Royal Brompton Hospital (2005). Information for Patients on Oral Anticoagulation therapy. Royal Brompton & Hare eld NHS Trust.