Blood clots, also known as thrombi, are formed inside
major blood vessels, and are the major cause of many
heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular disorders.
Symptoms of blood clots are usually not apparent, which
is why diagnostic screening on a regular (yearly) basis
is recommended.
What To Consider
Blood solidification, or clotting, usually occurs as
a healthy response within minutes after the skin is
cut or there is trauma that causes bleeding. A clot
helps seal the damage. However, blood clotting can be
dangerous when it occurs inside healthy blood vessels.
Unhealthy clotting can occur from platelets that get
"activated" to clump together. This occurs when platelets
come in contact with damaged arterial walls, or due
to nutrient deficiencies, poor dietary habits, or genetic
predisposition. Once platelets get sticky, their shape
changes and they easily mesh or clump together, causing
a clot.
Another factor that can cause unhealthy blood clots
is the production of fibrin, which helps bind the clump
of platelets together. Fibrin is the end product of
a cascade of coagulation (clumping) factors that occurs
with the activation of just one molecule. This, in turn,
can lead to the explosion of up to 30,000 molecules
of fibrin at the site of injury on the arterial wall.
Factors that can cause a buildup of platelet stickiness
and fibrin include: the use of birth control pills,
late stages of pregnancy, nutrient deficiencies, smoking,
free radicals (inadequate antioxidant nutrients), a
high-cholesterol diet, low essential fatty acids, a
diet high in saturated fat and low in vegetables and
fish, and liver disease. Prolonged sitting on long airline
flights, especially in cramped conditions, can also
increase the risk of developing pulmonary thrombosis.
Blood clots forming in the legs or another part of the
body break loose and then block one of the arteries
to the lungs. Some practical preventive measures during
long flights include getting up and walking the aisle
every hour, wearing loose, comfortable clothing, periodically
stretching the legs and tightening and loosening the
muscles of the abdomen and buttocks, and taking some
slow, deep breaths.
Studies conducted at Duke University showed that moderate
exercise can help protect against heart attacks and
strokes by enhancing the body's natural mechanism for
dissolving blood clots. In addition, researchers found
that the higher risk of blood clotting in women taking
oral contraceptives can be significantly reduced by
exercise.
Note
If you take aspirin as a daily preventive therapy, you
may want to begin a gut rejuvenation program to stimulate
healing and proper gastrointestinal wall functioning,
in order to offset aspirin's traumatization of the gut
wall when taken on daily basis. Consult your physician
for guidance.
Self-Care Tips
Diet
Foods that act to decrease platelet stickiness
and fibrin formation include garlic, ginger, onions,
and hot peppers (capsicum), all of which protect against
heart attack and stroke. Use granulated garlic on food
as a regular spice. Fish oils also help to reduce clotting
of blood. Increase consumption of cold-water fish at
least three times per week. Also decrease sugar consumption
as sugar intake increases platelet stickiness.
Nutritional Supplementation
Research in Japan has shown that nattokinase, an enzyme
derived from soy, can dissolve blood clots in as little
as two hours, making it one of the most effective nutrients
for preventing and reversing blood clots.
Other useful nutrients include: vitamin B6, garlic capsules,
niacin (vitamin B3), lipotropic factors (nutrients useful
for liver metabolism of fat), omega-3 and omega-6 fatty
acids, bromelain, vitamin C, vitamin E, magnesium, manganese,
and zinc.
Herbs
Hawthorne
berry is a very useful herb for helping to prevent blood
clots.
Homeopathy
Hamamelis.
Juice Therapy
Combine the juices of garlic, carrot, parsley, spinach, celery, and beet
and drink 8-12 ounces daily.
Caution
If your symptoms persist despite the above measures,
seek the help of a qualified health professional.