 Millions of Americans are taking thyroid medications on a daily basis and still feeling well. When our thyroid gland is functioning correctly, we feel energetic, our metabolism is working properly and our body temperature is normal.
A normal healthy thyroid gland will normally produce 94% inactive T4 (thyroxine) and about 7% active T3 (triiodothyronine). The inactive T4 will convert to the more potent T3 in the liver, not in the thyroid gland. Here lies part of the problem. Thyroid medications such as Synthroid, Levoxyl and Levathyroxine only contain synthetic T4. This hormone must be converted to the more potent T3 so you can benefit from your medication. Millions of people across the country do not make this conversion, leading the doctors to increase the dose. One cannot force the medicine to work. The human body must have nutrients present to make the conversion naturally, mainly iodine and selenium. If you have liver dysfunction, you must correct this problem so your medication can work properly. Those who are diabetics or those with high cholesterol, cirrhosis or associated liver disease need to work with a health practitioner to improve liver health if hypothyroidism is present. This is vital. Without a healthy liver, thyroid medicine only containing T4 will not work. Asking your doctor for medicine that contains T3 such as Armor Thyroid or Nature-Thyroid will help the patient feel better. Bread Companies Tricked Your Thyroid Up until the 1970’s bread companies use to fortify their products with iodine and as a nation we didn’t have thyroid issues. Since then the bread companies stopped using iodine in the bread and replaced it with bromide. Bromide fills in the receptor sites in the thyroid meant to for iodine. The bromide causes the present iodine to leave and reduces thyroid function. Add to the fact that chlorine/chloride and fluoride (by product from the aluminum industry) have been added to our water supply and these wreck havoc on the thyroid as well. Bromide, chloride and fluoride diminish thyroid function by removing iodine and creating an environment in which thyroid nodules can form leading to a risk of tumors, either benign or malignant. What to Do Naturally Clean up your diet. Avoid the refined sugars, bad fats, and commercialized white flour products. The focus healthy fruits such as fruits, vegetables/sea vegetables, nuts and seeds. These natural foods contain vital vitamins and minerals needed for optimum thyroid as well as liver health. Both organs must be addressed at the same time. Foods to Eat:
The Nutrients: There are some nutrients you will need to improve the health of your thyroid. Please remember that you didn’t get into this state overnight and it will not be corrected overnight, but give it 30-180 days for most people. Remember everyone’s thyroid problem is not the same, so be patient. Improving Thyroid gland and hormone production:
 Almond Milk: Creamy and slighty nutty flavor. Great in tea, coffee and in cooking and baking. Easy to make at home by soaking nuts and straining them. Can be sweetened.
Serving Size: 1 Cup Calories 30 Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 180mg Potassium 170mg Carbohydrates 1g Fiber 1g Protein 1g Great source of Calcium and Vitamin E. Cashew Milk: Smooth, creamy, slightly nutty and sweet. Great for cooking, desserts and making cream. Easy to make at home by soaking nuts overnight, blending with water and straining. Serving Size: 1 Cup Calories 35 Fat 3.5g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 85mg Carbohydrates 1g Fiber 0g Good source of Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 Coconut Milk: Smooth, fresh and not highly flavored. Compares to semi-skim milk in consistency. Ideal for all uses. Great for cereals, hot drinks and smoothies. Serving Size: 1 Cup Calories 35 Fat 3.5g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 85mg Potassium 170mg Carbohydrates 1g Fiber 0g Protein 0g Good sources of Vitamin D, Vitamin B12 and Selenium Hazelnut Milk: Light with a rich nutty flavor. Great in drinks and light desserts, but not suitable for cooking or baking. Ideal for all uses. Great for cereals, hot drinks and smoothies. Serving Size: 1 Cup Calories 110 Fat 3.5g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 120mg Potassium 170mg Carbohydrates 19g Fiber 1g Sugar 14g Protein 2g Good source of Calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin B2 Quinoa Milk: A smooth and creamy non-dairy beverage made from pure quinoa and NOT blended with any other grains. Quinoa, an ancient grain prized by the Incas, dates back to more than 5,000 years. Quinoa is a complete protein and contains essential amino acids making it the super protein for your dietary needs. Serving Size: 1 Cup Calories 110 Fat 1g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 70mg Potassium 110mg Carbohydrates 12g Fiber 1g Sugar 2g Protein 2g Good sources of Vitamin C, Calcium and Iron Oat Milk: Creamy and naturally sweet. Great in cooking, but a little heavy for baking. Easy to make at home by simmering oats and water, cooling and straining. Serving Size: 1 Cup Calories 130 Fat 2.5g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 115mg Potassium 170mg Carbohydrates 24g Fiber 0g Sugar 19g Protein 2g Good source of Calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin B2 and Iron Hemp Milk: Creamy, with a strong robust flavor than other non-dairy milks so not ideal in hot drinks. Good for cooking in savory dishes. Serving Size: 1 Cup Calories 70 Fat 5g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 140mg Potassium 170mg Carbohydrates 1g Fiber 2g Sugar 0g Protein 3g Good source of Calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin B1 & B2, Magnesium, Phosphorus Rice Milk: Has a think watery consistency. Light and naturally sweet, it’s great on cereal and in cooking, but a little too watery for hot drinks. Serving Size: 1 Cup Calories 120 Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 100mg Potassium 170mg Carbohydrates 23g Fiber 0g Sugar 10g Protein 1g Good sources Calcium, Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 Do not use as infant formula. Flax Milk: The lowest in calories, making it the perfect base for a slimming smoothie snack. You won't find any energizing protein here, so it's not the best beverage when you want a sip that gets you going. Benefits: Natural, Lactose Free, Gluten Free, Non Dairy, Trans Fat Free, Soy Free, Allergen Free, Vegan, Supports Green Farming, Omega3s. Serving Size: 1 Cup Calories 25 Fat 2.5g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 80mg Potassium 170mg Carbohydrates 1g Fiber 0g Sugar 0g Protein 0g Good source of Calcium, Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 Goat Milk: Same consistency as cow’s milk. Anti-inflammatory, improves digestion, closer to human mother’s milk, lower in fat, higher in fatty acids, calcium-rich, anti-mucousal. Extremely high in riboflavin, just one cup of goat’s milk offers 20.0% of our daily needs. Add to that high amounts of phosphorous, Vitamin B12, protein and potassium. In fact, Ghandi himself rejuvenated his own health after extremely long periods of fasting through drinking raw goat’s milk. Serving Size: 1 Cup Calories 142 Fat 7.2g Cholesterol 25.2mg Sodium 115mg Potassium 170mg Carbohydrates 11g Fiber 0g Sugar 0g Protein 8.5g Good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin D and Calcium  Metabolism is the process by which your body converts what you eat and drink into energy. During this complex biochemical process, calories in food and beverages are combined with oxygen to release the energy your body needs to function.
Even when you're at rest, your body needs energy for all its "hidden" functions, such as breathing, circulating blood, adjusting hormone levels, and growing and repairing cells. The number of calories your body uses to carry out these basic functions is known as your basal metabolic rate — what you might call metabolism. When we talk about metabolism everyone thinks weight loss. When you have healthy metabolism, you will not gain weight which is true. Let’s take a look at improving metabolism in reference to weight loss and optimal health. WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR METABOLISM NATURALLY! EXERCISE Exercise for 5 minutes at 3.5 mph. Increase your speed to 4 mph for 60 seconds. Then go back down to 3.5 mph for 90 seconds. Repeat the entire sequence 5 times, twice a week. (To get a more challenging workout, increase the incline or your pace.) I found this pace to be true. If you like to count the calories on a treadmill. You can burn more at a higher incline in less time. Rule of thumb on exercises that have a pace like walking, running, treadmill, stationary bikes, etc. You will need to be doing the exercise for 20 minutes before you start burning fat. STRENGTH TRAINING Muscle burns at least three times the number of calories as fat, which makes building muscle a priority for boosting metabolism. Not only does muscle weigh more than fat, but it uses more energy, too. The average woman in her 30s who strength-trains 30 to 40 minutes twice a week for four months will increase her resting metabolism by 100 calories a day. That means you're resetting your thermostat to keep running at that rate even on the days when you don't make it to the gym. Lifting free weights is an excellent way to get your muscles to burn more calories and fat. Lifting free weights each day for 30-1 hour can help keep your metabolism working all day. Exercise is a gift to yourself that keeps on giving. In a phenomenon known as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), your body can take hours to recover from a robust workout (one intense enough that you can't hold a conversation) and return to its previous resting metabolic rate. The blessing: Your body is actually burning more calories than it normally would—even after you've finished exercising. There’s a catch, though. The better shape you're in, the less benefit you'll get, because your fit body replenishes its energy stores efficiently. You can improve your burn by increasing how often or how hard you work out (think intervals). OMEGA 3s Why does eating lots of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, herring, and tuna) help amp up metabolism? Omega-3s balance blood sugar and reduce inflammation, helping to regulate metabolism. They may also reduce resistance to the hormone leptin, which researchers have linked to how fast fat is burned. A study in Obesity Research found rats that ingested large doses of fish oil while exercising lost weight. Also, try flaxseed oil, walnuts, or eggs fortified with omega-3s. I (Dr. Bond) take 3-6,000mg per day. Do not take less than 3,000mg per day. Only purchase high quality fish oil, not Walmart, Walgreens or CVS. GREEN TEA Green tea has long been heralded for its antioxidant polyphenols. But new evidence shows the active ingredient, catechin, may crank up metabolism. Researchers conducted a series of studies in dieters and found that those who went green lost more weight than those who didn't, suggesting that catechins may improve fat oxidation and thermogenesis, your body's production of energy, or heat, from digestion. But how much do you have to drink? According to one study, if you drink five eight-ounce cups of green tea a day, you can increase your energy expenditure by 90 calories a day. Sounds like a lot of tea, but it's not hard to do if you also drink it iced. (Drinking coffee can improve metabolism, but Green Tea’s health benefits outweigh coffee by a long shot) DON’T STARVE YOURSELF It's one of the most frustrating realities of Metabolism—if you cut out too many calories, your metabolism thinks times are lean and puts the breaks on fat-burning to conserve energy. Here’s the trick to keeping your metabolism revved up while dieting: Eat enough calories to at least match your resting metabolic rate (what you'd burn if you stayed in bed all day; calculate yours here). That's about 1,330 calories for a 5-feet-4-inch, 150-pound, 40-year-old woman. Everyone make a journal of all the foods you eat for a week. Then remove the ones that increase blood sugar spikes such as refined sugar products and those with artificial sweeteners. Eating berries between meals or a handful of nuts such as almonds or walnuts can help keep your metabolism going. GO ORGANIC Organic fruits, vegetables, and grains grown without pesticides keep your fat-burning system running at full-tilt because they don’t expose your thyroid to toxins. Non-organic produce, on the other hand, “blocks your metabolism mainly by interfering with your thyroid, which is your body’s thermostat and determines how fast it runs”. (Pesticides, herbicides contain estrogenic properties which slow down your thyroid). PROTEIN Your body digests protein more slowly than fat or carbs, so you feel full longer (this depends on the source of protein). In a process called thermogenesis, your body uses about 10% of its calorie intake for digestion. So, because it takes longer to burn protein than carbs or fat, your body expends more energy absorbing the nutrients in a high-protein diet. Another bonus: One recent study from Purdue University found that diets higher in protein may help preserve lean body mass, which is the best fat-burner of all. Whey Protein: Digests and absorbs the quickest. This is best to use before and exercise. Whey is preferred if you are making a smoothie for breakfast. Micellar/Casein Protein: Digests the slowest. Professional bodybuilders use this at bedtime to prevent muscle wasting during the night. This protein can be used as appetite suppressant. Red Meat: Organic Grass-Fed Only. This will digest depending on the strength of your own digestive system. If red meat slows colon elimination in you, it is best to avoid it. Chicken: Easy to digest and best prepared grilled or baked. Fish: The best metabolism boosting fish are salmon, mahi mahi, halibut, tuna. Salmon contains your Omega3s. Mahi is the lowest in fat and is a hearty fish and can be prepared many way. Has a great flavor. EXTRAS Sage Leaf Tea: Compounds in sage leaf tea help move sugar out of the blood and into your cells, sending the message that it's time to start breaking down nutrients to use for the entire day. Having one cup of this tea with breakfast can help keep your metabolism revving all day long. Hot Peppers: Chili peppers get their heat from a bioactive compound called capsaicin, which may help curb your appetite by raising your body temperature. Get the fat-fighting benefits by incorporating more red peppers, cayenne, jalapeños, habaneros or Tabasco into your diet. Papaya: Contains an enzyme called papain, which improves protein digestion and absorption, which is key to boosting metabolism and burning fat. Try incorporating this superfood into your diet.  UPDATED: What do you say about a soldier who suffers with PTSD due to a tour in the Middle East and finds out the death of his mother and grandfather within a couple of months. He's placed on multiple medications to help with this condition, but unfortunately medication isn’t the cure to PTSD as it is very complicated to understand much less treat effectively. One medication mentioned by the media is Ambein. but more on that in a moment. What is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? This condition is when the ‘Fight or Flight’ response is pushed to its very limit. But in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), this reaction is changed or damaged. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they’re no longer in danger.
The NIMH defines PTSD as “a condition that develops after a terrifying ordeal that involved physical harm or the threat of physical harm. The person who develops PTSD may have been the one who was harmed, the harm may have happened to a loved one, or the person may have witnessed a harmful event that happened to loved ones or strangers. PTSD was first brought to public attention in relation to war veterans, but it can result from a variety of traumatic incidents, such as mugging, rape, torture, being kidnapped or held captive, child abuse, car accidents, train wrecks, plane crashes, bombings, or natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes.” Let’s talk military since those are the ones we hear most about in the news. Picture yourself in a dangerous area with constant threat of attack. You don’t know if you will live or die from minute to minute. Will you be shot, blown up or drive over a landmine? Think about this fear never leaving you day in and day out, night after night. Your mind and body never getting rest or more importantly never feeling peace that we all desire to have in daily life. Understanding how fear memories are created may help to refine or find new interventions for reducing the symptoms of PTSD. This is not a problem with one’s genes, let’s make that clear. We need more research in the area of the brain. Studying parts of the brain involved in dealing with fear and stress also helps researchers to better understand possible treatments of PTSD. One such brain structure is the amygdala, known for its role in emotion, learning, and memory. The amygdala appears to be active in fear acquisition, or learning to fear an event (such as touching a hot stove), as well as in the early stages of fear extinction, or learning not to fear. The brain neurotransmitter, Norepinephrine is the chemical that allows us to remember exciting or stressful events for all of our lives. As mentioned earlier, however, too much norepinephrine can prevent the laying down of new memories, and can interfere with rational thought and decision making. Those with PTSD should look into to reducing norepinephrine levels to a safe level, which would be vital in the area of rational thought and decision making. Let’s talk Ambien. Millions of Americans are hooked on it. Ambein, a member of the class of medications known as hypnotics, was approved by the FDA in 1992. It was designed for short term use to combat insomnia and was a welcome change from the prevailing sleep aid at the time, Halcion, which had been implicated in psychosis, suicide, and addiction and had been banned in half a dozen countries. Ambein works by activating the neurotransmitter GABA and binding it to the GABA receptors in the same location as the benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Valium. The extra GABA activity triggered by the drug inhibits the neuron activity that is associated with insomnia. In other words, it slows down the brain. Ambien is extremely effective at initiating sleep, usually working within 20 minutes. It does not, however, have an effect on sustaining sleep unless it is taken in the controlled release form. Ambein has posted warnings that seemed to be ignored by doctors. Patients need to learn to read the side effects before deciding taking any drug, especially Ambien. The prescribing information warned, in small print, that medications in the hypnotic class had occasional side effects including sleep walking, “abnormal thinking,” and “strange behavior,” these behaviors were listed as extremely rare, and any anecdotal evidence of “sleep driving,” “sleep eating,” or “sleep shopping”—all behaviors now associated with Ambien blackouts—were characterized as unusual quirks, or attributed to mixing the medication with alcohol. I personally know people who took Ambien and ended up in the bathtub in the middle of the night wearing nothing but tennis shoes. This is not normal behavior. Ambien causes a deep depression, a depression that is classified as severe hopelessness. When a user is on Ambien they don’t know that the drug is causing these problems. In many of the mass shootings we are seeing today, Ambein is a drug that is found in a few of these cases. Also, think about how many people are sitting in prison for some bizarre crime they committed from the nightly use of Ambien. The court system doesn’t generally recognize an Ambein defense, but that’s another story. I could write an encyclopedia on the dangers of Ambien, but I hope this short article will give you some insight that it is a drug to be avoided at all costs. It’s time the FDA removes this drug from the market. If you are taking Ambein, look for another alternative. If you have a loved one taking it, please be more aware of their behavior. The next question is how does one stop Ambein and how does one overcome the side effects. First, talk with your doctor about getting off of Ambein. While one is doing that, the following suggestions will help get the mind back on track and remove the side effects naturally. Nutritional Help:
I hope you find this article helpful in the explanation of PTSD and the effects of using Ambein. “These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.” by Ward W. Bond, PhD. #ptsh #ambien #drwardbond #thinknatural  Enzymes may not share the superstar status of certain vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids, and other miracle nutrients in the world of conventional health and nutrition, yet a growing number of studies suggest that enzymes very much deserve a standing ovation when it comes to improving overall health and the successful treatment of numerous diseases.
Enzymes perform an all-encompassing function in the development and maintenance of the human body. Dr. Edward Howell, father of enzyme nutrition and therapy, stated that enzymes are the very substances that make life possible. Yet mainstream medicine has frequently ignored this basic fact, undervaluing the enzymes' vital role in health and underestimating their true potential in overall health, including disease management and prevention. Proponents and advocates of enzyme therapy regard enzyme bankruptcy as a lethal health catastrophe, causing countless bodies to shut down prematurely. Know Your Enzymes Bodies of research have identified more than 3,000 types of enzymes in the human body. As organic catalysts, enzymes are known to initiate, speed up, slow down, alter or halt about 4,000 kinds of biochemical reactions. Millions of biochemical reactions take place in our body on a daily basis, including respiration, food digestion, assimilation and transportation of nutrients, detoxification of certain organs, blood purification, movement of muscles, production and regulation of hormones, and cell renewal and repair, to name a few. The enzymes make all these processes possible, and they are destroyed once they complete their respective tasks. There are three types of enzymes: digestive, metabolic, and food enzymes. Digestive enzymes are produced by the digestive organs that aid in breaking down food into more assimilable forms. The four general classes of digestive enzymes are: Amylase, which digests carbohydrates, starches, and sugars found in grains, fruits, and starchy vegetables. Protease, which breaks down protein found in meat, nuts, and cheese into amino-acids. Lipase, which breaks down fats and oils found in dairy and meat products into fatty acids. Cellulase, which helps digest fiber. Metabolic enzymes on the other hand are manufactured by the body's own cells to perform highly specific tasks required in regulating the blood, tissues, and organs. They are responsible for:
Metabolic enzymes also carry out the delivery and absorption of nutrients in various organs. The third kind of enzymes is the food enzymes. These enzymes are the vital life force naturally found in raw, uncooked food. By definition, raw food is food heated below 118 degrees F, the highest temperature in which enzymes can still survive and function. There are a lot of well-documented cases that attest to the wonderful benefits and healing power of raw food. The enzymes present in raw food work synergistically with the other nutrients like vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, antioxidants, and co-enzymes, allowing your digestive system to take its much needed rest and giving your immune system the necessary boost to successfully carry out its search and destroy missions. The Enzyme and Disease Connection The problem arises when the body becomes overburdened in producing enzymes due too poor dietary choices like eating cooked, highly processed and preservative-laden foods. According to research, food enzymes are heat-sensitive and die when heated at temperatures above 118 degrees F. When a person ingests enzyme-less food, his body then diverts a lot of its energy to the production of digestive enzymes to break down the carbohydrates, protein, fat, and other nutrients of the food. If a person has been eating cooked, unhealthy food most of his life, his body's line of defense may already be exhausted in its fight against diseases associated with diets high in sugar, sodium, additives, trans and saturated fat, and carcinogenic substances. This is further compounded by a person's genetic predisposition to certain diseases. The body then struggles more to achieve homeostasis or internal equilibrium, which is needed for all the organ systems to run smoothly and to function properly. Because a lot of energy gets allotted to the manufacturing of digestive enzymes, the production of metabolic enzymes becomes disrupted. The more important tasks of providing immune system back-up, blood purification, and organ detox needed in fighting off disease all take a backseat to the digestion of cooked food. Nevertheless the body does not stop recognizing an unfriendly invasion when it sees one, and in a greatly strained attempt to set all things back to order, it goes on a red-alert mode and uses all its limited energy to follow its natural tendency--which is to heal itself. The body is not meant to be in a state of emergency for a prolonged period of time. When this happens, the body finally breaks down and serious diseases like cancer develop. Other diseases linked to enzyme deficiency include heart disease, which is a sign of the body's inability to break down fats. Autoimmune diseases such as allergies and arthritis on the other hand are the results of the body's incapacity to digest protein and carbohydrates. The Enzyme Advantage Studies indicate that increasing your raw food intake and taking enzyme supplements can be very potent measures in the prevention and healing of certain diseases including cancer. Although raw food already has its own enzymes to digest its own nutrients, the undigested substances circulating in the blood that are responsible for a lot of diseases would need extra enzymes before they could be broken down for elimination. This is where enzyme support comes in handy. The high concentration of enzymes in enzyme supplements can dissolve all the unfriendly substances floating in the bloodstream that are causing damage to various organs. Since bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells are made up of protein, proteolytic or protein-metabolizing enzymes such as protease would greatly assist in destroying pathogens and cancer cells. White blood cells are also heavily dependent on enzymes; a shortage on their supply would therefore result in impaired immune function. It is for these reasons that a mega-dose of enzyme supplements is usually required to restore health to cancer patients. Various experiments conducted on enzymes demonstrate their versatility and efficacy. Combined with a proper diet and other nutritional supplements, enzymes can perform tasks that are nothing short of miraculous. The use of enzymes among athletes suffering from injury and patients who underwent surgery accelerated the recovery and healing of both groups. In one study, a marked improvement was noted among arthritic patients consuming raw food. In another study, a control group of hypertensive and obese outpatients experienced a significant improvement in their conditions on a raw vegan diet. Enzymes have also been shown to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy among cancer patients. Countless allergy sufferers reported relief upon increasing their enzyme intake. Other reported benefits include the elimination of digestive and colon problems, hay fever, asthma, inflammation, hypoglycemia, and Crohn's disease.  We all know the healing power of nutrients and herbs, but there are a few times when medication and nutrients/herbs can collide. In the case of blood thinning medications we need to gain wisdom. Below are the nutrients and herbs which can interaction if someone is taking a blood thinner.
Bromelain In theory, bromelain might enhance the action of anticoagulants. This theoretical concern has not been substantiated by human research, however. Coenzyme Q10 Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is structurally similar to vitamin K and may affect blood coagulation. Four case reports describe possible interference by CoQ10 with warfarin activity. It remains unknown how common or rare this interaction is. Those taking warfarin should only take CoQ10 with the guidance of their doctor. Minerals Iron, magnesium, and zinc may bind with warfarin, potentially decreasing their absorption and activity. People on warfarin therapy should take warfarin and iron/magnesium/zinc-containing products at least two hours apart. Papain Papain, an enzyme extract of papaya, was associated with increased warfarin activity in one patient. Persons taking warfarin should avoid papain supplements until further information about this potential interaction becomes available. Vitamin C Although case reports have suggested that vitamin C might increase the activity of anticoagulants in a potentially dangerous way, this interaction has not been confirmed in research studies. In fact, a possible interference by vitamin C with the effect of anticoagulants has also been reported. A 52-year-old woman maintained on 7.5 mg of warfarin per day had a shortening of the blood clotting time which was not corrected by increasing warfarin up to 20 mg per day. Further questioning revealed she had begun taking an unspecified amount of vitamin C each morning. After stopping vitamin C, the blood clotting time returned to desired levels. Based on this and other case reports, people taking warfarin should consult with their physician before taking vitamin C supplements. Vitamin D In 1975, a single letter to the Journal of the American Medical Association suggested that vitamin D increases the activity of anticoagulants and that this interaction could prove dangerous. However, there have been no other reports of such an interaction, even though tens of millions of people are taking multivitamins that contain vitamin D. Most doctors typically do not tell patients taking anticoagulant medications to avoid vitamin D. Vitamin E An isolated case was reported in 1974 of vitamin E (up to 1,200 IU per day) being associated with increased anticoagulation (blood thinning) in a patient treated with warfarin.11 A study of 12 people undergoing warfarin therapy found that additional vitamin E (100 IU or 400 IU per day) did not induce a clinical bleeding state. Moreover, a double-blind trial found that supplementation with vitamin E in amounts up to 1,200 IU per day had no effect on warfarin activity. It now appears safe for people taking warfarin to supplement vitamin E despite information to the contrary often provided by doctors about this purported interaction. These warnings are based on the isolated case report from 1974. Vitamin K Warfarin slows blood clotting by interfering with vitamin K activity. Since vitamin K reverses the anticoagulant effects of warfarin, people taking warfarin should avoid vitamin K–containing supplements unless specifically directed otherwise by their prescribing doctor. Some vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, parsley, spinach, and others) are high in vitamin K. Eating large quantities or making sudden changes in the amounts eaten of these vegetables can interfere with the effectiveness and safety of warfarin therapy. The greener the plant, the higher the vitamin K content. Other significant dietary sources of vitamin K include soybean oil, olive oil, cottonseed oil, and canola oil. Vitamin K supplementation can be used, however, to counteract an overdose of warfarin. Such treatment requires the supervision of a doctor. Interactions with Herbs Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) Asian ginseng was associated with a decrease in warfarin activity in a case report. Persons taking warfarin should consult with a physician knowledgeable about botanical medicines if they are considering taking Asian ginseng or eleuthero/Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus). A 1999 animal study did not reveal any significant interaction between warfarin and pure ginseng extract. Dan shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) Dan shen, a Chinese herb, was associated with increased warfarin activity in several cases. Dan shen should only be used under close medical supervision by people taking warfarin. Sage (Salvia officinalis), a plant relative of dan shen found in the West, is not associated with interactions involving warfarin. Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) Devil’s claw was associated with purpura (bleeding under the skin) in a patient treated with warfarin. However, key details in this case—including other medications taken and the amounts and duration of warfarin and devil’s claw taken—were not reported, making it impossible to evaluate this reported interaction. Until more is known, people taking warfarin should avoid taking devil’s claw. Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) A 46-year-old woman taking warfarin experienced increased strength of the anticoagulant properties of the drug after starting to use dong quai for menopause. The daily amount of dong quai was 1,130–2,260 mg per day. Her bleeding tendency returned to normal after discontinuing the dong quai. While little is known about the potential interaction of dong quai and warfarin, women should discuss the use of the herb with a healthcare professional if they are taking an anticoagulant drug and wish to use dong quai. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) Although there are no documented cases of feverfew interacting with warfarin in humans, feverfew has been shown to interfere with certain aspects of blood clotting in test tube studies. Garlic (Allium sativum) Garlic has been shown to help prevent atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), perhaps by reducing the ability of platelets to stick together. This can result in an increase in the tendency toward bleeding. Standardized extracts have, on rare occasions, been associated with bleeding in people. Garlic extracts have also been associated with two human cases of increased warfarin activity. The extracts were not definitively shown to be the cause of the problem. People taking warfarin should consult with a doctor before taking products containing standardized extracts of garlic or eating more than one clove of garlic daily. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Ginger has been shown to reduce platelet stickiness in test tubes. Although there are no reports of interactions with anticoagulant drugs, people should consult a healthcare professional if they are taking an anticoagulant and wish to use ginger. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) Ginkgo extracts may reduce the ability of platelets to stick together, possibly increasing the tendency toward bleeding. Standardized extracts of ginkgo have been associated with two cases of spontaneous bleeding, although the ginkgo extracts were not definitively shown to be the cause of the problem. There are two case reports of people taking warfarin in whom bleeding occurred after the addition of ginkgo. People taking warfarin should consult with a physician knowledgeable about botanical medicines if they are considering taking ginkgo. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) One man taking warfarin and one-half to one gallon of green tea per day developed signs based on laboratory testing suggesting his blood was too thick because the green tea was blocking the effect of warfarin. Removal of the green tea caused normalization of his blood tests. Those taking green tea and warfarin together should have their blood monitored regularly to avert any problems and should consult with a doctor, healthcare practitioner and/or pharmacist before taking any medication. Herbs containing coumarin derivatives Although there are no specific studies demonstrating interactions with anticoagulants, the following herbs contain coumarin-like substances that may interact with warfarin and may cause bleeding. These herbs include angelica root, arnica flower, anise, asafoetida, celery, chamomile, corn silk, fenugreek, horse chestnut, licorice root, lovage root, parsley, passion flower herb, quassia, red clover, rue, sweet clover, and sweet woodruff. Dong quai contains at least six coumarin derivatives, which may account for the interaction noted above. People should consult a healthcare professional if they’re taking an anticoagulant and wish to use one of these herbs. Quinine (Cinchona species) Quinine, a chemical found in cinchona bark and available as a drug product, has been reported to increase warfarin activity. People should read labels for quinine/cinchona content. People taking warfarin should avoid quinine-containing products. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) As it may increase bleeding time, reishi is not recommended for those taking anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medications. St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) According to a preliminary report, volunteers taking 900 mg per day of St. John’s wort were given a single dose of an anticoagulant similar in action to warfarin. There was a significant drop in the amount of the drug measured in the blood. Seven case studies reported to the Medical Products Agency in Sweden also found a decrease in the anticoagulant activity of warfarin when St. John’s wort was taken at the same time. This may have occurred because certain chemicals found in St. John’s wort activate liver enzymes that are involved in the elimination of some drugs.46 47 People taking warfarin should consult with their doctor before taking St. John’s wort. Interactions with Foods and Other Compounds Alcohol Alcohol use, especially long-term heavy drinking, can decrease the effectiveness of warfarin. People taking warfarin are cautioned to avoid alcohol. Food Some vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, parsley, spinach, and others) are high in vitamin K. Eating large quantities49 or making sudden changes in the amounts eaten of these vegetables, interferes with the effectiveness and safety of warfarin therapy. Eating charbroiled food may decrease warfarin activity,while eating soy meal foods and cooked onions may increase warfarin activity. The significance of these last two interactions remains unclear. Olestra The FDA-approved fat substitute, olestra, interferes with fat absorption, including the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamin K, a fat-soluble vitamin, is added to olestra to offset this adverse effect.Since vitamin K interferes with the activity of warfarin, eating snacks containing olestra may also interfere with the drug’s activity. The impact of eating snacks containing olestra has not been evaluated in people taking warfarin. However, until more is known, it makes sense for people taking warfarin to avoid olestra-containing foods.  Here is a link to the article I wrote for 'Total Health' Magazine on 'The Life Changing Power of D-Ribose.
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