What Natural Foods Help Blood to Clot?

Although blood clots inside the body are bad for your health, clotting, also known as coagulation, is an essential part of the healing process, as it stops wounds from continuously bleeding.

People with certain bleeding disorders, such as Von Willebrand disease or inherited hemophilia, may want to help support their blood's ability to coagulate, according to Cleveland Clinic. Foods that help blood clot include animal products, seafood, vegetables, and herbs.

On the flip side, if you're taking blood thinners for a medical condition, you may be interested in foods that cause your blood to clot, as these might counteract the effects of the medication. When on blood thinners, be sure to consult with your doctor to discuss your specific dietary needs.

Vitamin K, calcium, copper, and iron are nutrients that play a major role in your body’s ability to form blood clots. Foods that are rich in these nutrients can improve coagulation.

Vitamin K and Coagulation

Vitamin K helps maintain the health of your bones and blood. It can help promote the body's ability to clot blood, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements, and is considered to be one of the most important nutrients for people who have bleeding disorders.

People can obtain vitamin K from a variety of sources, including:

• Leafy vegetables like collard greens, spinach, lettuce, and kale
• Other types of vegetables like broccoli and okra
• Certain fruits like blueberries and grapes
• Soybean products, including oil and natto
• Nuts like pine nuts and cashews
• Animal products like chicken, ground beef, and eggs

Because vitamin K is found in such a wide range of food products, most people get enough of this nutrient. Adults should consume between 75 and 120 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin K each day, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements.

You can easily obtain this amount from eating leafy greens. For example, half a cup of frozen collard greens can give you 442 percent of the recommended daily value, while a cup of fresh kale can give you 94 percent of the daily value.

People with malabsorption or digestive system issues can struggle to get enough of this nutrient. This includes people with ulcerative colitis, short bowel syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and celiac disease, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Antibiotics and certain medications also have the potential to lower your body's vitamin K levels.

Not consuming enough vitamin K-rich foods will act as a natural blood thinner. This can lead to bruising and bleeding problems and may increase your risk of osteoporosis. Insufficient vitamin K may also play a role in the development of heart disease.

Coagulation, Calcium, and Vitamin K

Calcium also plays an important role in blood clotting, according to The Nutrition Source. It works with vitamin K and also maintains the health of your bones and blood. Most adults need between 1,000 and 1,200 milligrams (mg) of calcium each day, notes the Office of Dietary Supplements.

Calcium-rich foods include:

• Dairy products, including milk, yogurt, sour cream, and cheese
• Seafood such as sardines and salmon
• Fortified beverages like soy milk and orange juice
• Vegetables, including kale, broccoli, spinach, and turnip greens

Calcium is a critical nutrient for your health, so deficiencies can result in serious issues, including osteoporosis, which increases the risk of falls and fractures.

Iron and Blood Health

Iron is well known for being important for the health of your blood. This mineral helps make important proteins like hemoglobin, which is found in red blood cells, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements.

Foods that are rich in iron include:

• Seafood like oysters, sardines, and tuna
• Meat products such as beef, turkey, and chicken
• Legumes like lentils, kidney beans, white beans, soybeans, and chickpeas
• Nuts like pistachios and cashews
• Enriched products, including rice, cereals, and other grain-based products
• Certain vegetables such as spinach, potatoes, and broccoli

Adult men need about 8 mg of iron each day, while women typically need more, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Most adult women need 18 mg of iron daily, but this can range between 8 and 27 mg based on age and whether you are breastfeeding or pregnant.

If you don't get enough iron, you can become anemic. In fact, iron deficiency is the most common type of anemia, according to Mayo Clinic, though other nutrient deficiencies can also cause this issue. Anemia can lead to symptoms like extreme tiredness, fatigue, shortness of breath, headaches, and light headedness.

Anemia and iron deficiency also influence internal blood clotting in the body, according to research. Unlike healthy clots that occur outside of the body when you injure yourself, blood clots that form in your veins are dangerous. Those blood clots can cause pain and inflammation and lead to other serious health issues that can result in death.

Copper’s Role in Coagulation

Copper helps the body form red blood cells alongside other nutrients that are important for blood clotting. It also helps the body absorb other nutrients like iron, according to MedlinePlus.

You can find copper in many types of foods, for example:

• Seafood, particularly shellfish
• Certain meats, particularly offal
• Dark, leafy greens
• Dried fruits
• Whole grains
• Legumes
• Nuts

Most adults should consume between 890 and 1,300 mcg of copper each day, depending on how old they are and whether they are pregnant or breastfeeding, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. While copper deficiency is rare in humans, too little copper can cause issues like anemia, osteoporosis, and increased risk of infection.

Blood Thinners and Diet

If you are taking blood thinners and are concerned about your blood's ability to coagulate, you may need to keep an eye on the foods you're eating, as they can interact with your medication. Certain types of blood thinners, like warfarin, help prevent blood clots by preventing vitamin K-dependent clotting in your body, according to the American Heart Association.

If you're taking warfarin, you don't need to avoid vitamin K-rich foods. However, you will need to make sure you're regularly eating the same amount of them. Inconsistent amounts of vitamin K in your diet can influence the way your medication works.

If you want to make major changes to your diet and are taking blood thinners, make sure to talk to your doctor first.