Supplements and Blood Thinners
What can and can't you take on anticoagulants
If you're on warfarin, aspirin, or other blood thinners, your supplement choices matter more than average. Some combinations increase bleeding risk significantly.
TL;DR
Avoid or discuss: Fish oil, Vitamin E, Ginkgo, Garlic, Ginger, Turmeric (all thin blood). Watch Vitamin K intake (counteracts warfarin). Safe for most: Vitamin D, B vitamins, Magnesium (at normal doses).
Why This Matters
Blood thinners already reduce your clotting ability. Adding supplements that also affect clotting creates an unpredictable bleeding risk. Too much thinning = dangerous bleeding. Too much Vitamin K = medication doesn't work.
Avoid or Discuss First
Increase bleeding risk
Special Case: Vitamin K
Directly affects warfarin
Vitamin K is the ANTIDOTE to warfarin
Consistency matters more than avoidance. keep intake stable
Generally Safe
No significant interaction at normal doses
What To Do
- Disclose ALL supplements to your prescribing doctor
- If on warfarin, keep Vitamin K intake consistent (not zero, but stable)
- Get INR tested more frequently when changing supplements
- Don't stop blood thinners. adjust supplements instead
- Ask before adding ANY new supplement
Common Mistakes
- Avoiding all Vitamin K (causes unstable INR levels)
- Starting fish oil without telling doctor
- Thinking "natural" blood thinners are safer
- Not connecting supplements to easy bruising or bleeding
The Bottom Line
Blood thinners are serious medications. Your clotting balance is already adjusted. Adding blood-thinning supplements without guidance is risky. Always discuss first.
Related Safety Guides
About this information: Our recommendations draw from peer-reviewed clinical trials, systematic reviews, and the same medical databases your doctor uses. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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