Why must patients taking the blood thinner warfarin exercise caution regarding kelp supplements?
Answer
Warfarin can be affected because kelp is a source of Vitamin K, which plays a role in blood clotting.
Kelp is recognized as containing Vitamin K, a fat-soluble vitamin essential for the liver to produce proteins necessary for normal blood clotting cascades. Warfarin is a common prescription medication specifically used as an anticoagulant to reduce the blood's ability to clot, often prescribed for conditions like atrial fibrillation or DVT prevention. Introducing a variable, high source of Vitamin K via concentrated kelp supplements can counteract the therapeutic thinning effect of warfarin, thereby diminishing its effectiveness and increasing the patient's overall risk for clot formation.
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