Control Blood Clotting Naturally With Food

Natural methods may be the best way to reduce the risk of blood clotting. Recent studies suggest that a change in lifestyle that includes a diet high in power foods that thin the blood and fight clots is the best medicine for people who have experienced previous blood clots and people who have never had a blood clot.

Blood Clotting

When a blood vessel is injured it bleeds. A mass of matter - blood cells and other components - form to help stop the bleeding. This mass is sometimes compared to a scab.

Blood clots become dangerous when the blood vessel is broken. If this occurs, the blood platelets become tacky or sticky and mound together. This mound of sticky platelets stops the blood.

Most blood clots are not dangerous. They form and prevent the body from losing too much blood. When their job is done they dissolve and the body heals. Blood clots are dangerous when they occur in healthy blood vessels. Blood clotting can also be dangerous if they do not dissolve after stopping the bleeding in a broken vessel.

The most severe blood clot is the embolism. This type of blood clot causes the blood flow to become blocked. It can lead to fatal consequences. Embolisms can occur in blood vessels or arteries. For example, an embolism in the brain will cause cerebral damage. An embolism in the coronary artery may cause a heart attack.

Blood Clotting and Food

Different factors lead to blood clotting. Genetics and medical conditions can play a role in the development of blood clots. While a person cannot control these factors he can control others such as his diet. A person's diet can have a big effect on whether or not blood clotting will happen.

Cholesterol and saturated fats, the two big 'no-no's in the food world, lead to blood clotting in the blood vessels and arteries. A person who eats foods high in cholesterol and saturated fats puts himself at a high risk for heart disease. The American Stroke Association has more information on the effects of bad cholesterol on blood clots.

Nutrients including omega-3 fatty acids, vegetables, fruits, and fish are important for a heart healthy diet. It is important to design a diet that includes a balance of nutrients and antioxidants to prevent blood clotting.

To reduce the sticky-ness of platelets add some hot sauce to your egg whites. Hot sauce, hot peppers, onions, ginger, and cayenne all work to keep blood platelets from becoming sticky and massing together.

Fatty fish contain omega-3 fatty acids. These wonder-nutrients lower cholesterol and are extremely heart friendly. The American Heart Association encourages everyone to eat at least 2 portions of cold water fish like salmon or tuna every week.

Flaxseeds are another source of omega-3s. Certain omega-3 fatty acids are found in plants, not fish. This is true with flaxseed. Soluble fiber and omega-3s help reduce cholesterol.

Soy is a mega power food according to many doctors. It is a great way to reduce bad cholesterol and heart disease. The FDA now includes 25 grams of soy protein daily as a part of a low cholesterol, low saturated fat diet.

Chocolate is the new kid on the block. Scientists are discovering the blood clot busting powers of dark chocolate to the delight of chocolate lovers everywhere. In addition to chocolate fresh fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and potatoes all prevent cholesterol oxidation that would otherwise lead to blood clotting.

Acceptable Blood Glucose Levels May Vary, Understand Them and Stay in Control

We have often heard doctors advising diabetics to ensure that blood glucose levels are normal. In other words it is very important to maintain acceptable blood glucose levels. The concentration of blood sugar in a mammal's blood is the blood glucose level, which is usually expected to be in a reference range between 4mmol/L and 6mmol/L. Levels higher than that range are a cause of concern and need medication as per doctor's advice. Failure to maintain normal levels leads to hyperglycemia (higher level) or hypoglycemia (lower level). Acceptable blood sugar levels cannot be specific values, and your doctor would be the best person to answer what is safe for you depending upon your health status.

Normal values of blood glucose level

The blood glucose level varies at different times of the day. In most humans you would normally find the levels within a range of 80mg/dL to 110mg/dl i.e. 3.9 to 6.0mmol/L. The level goes up temporarily shortly after eating up to maybe 140mg/dL. The level is on a lower side in the early morning before you have your first meal.

Blood sugar tests and their normally acceptable blood glucose levels

* Fasting blood sugar test: The fasting blood sugar test is conducted after you fast for at least eight hours. The normal range for this test is 70 to 100mg/dL or 3.9 to 5.6mmol/L.
* Random blood sugar test: This test is conducted to measure blood sugar at any point in time of the day. Though there is no specific level defined, the sugar level should not be acceptable if higher than 200mg/dL i.e. 11.1mmol/L.
* Oral glucose tolerance test: This test measures the response of your body to sugar intake. First the fasting blood sugar level is measured. Then you are given a sugary solution and your blood sugar level is measured after 1 hour and then after 2 hours after you have the solution. This test is often used to screen pregnant women for gestational diabetes. The normal sugar level for this test is lower than 141mg/dL i.e. 7.8mmol/L.
* A1C test (glycated hemoglobin): This test is used to gauge how well you are managing your diabetes. This test is used to measure your average blood sugar for the past two to three months. It shows what percentage of hemoglobin is sugar coated (glycated). The acceptable level for non diabetics is 4 to 6 percent. For the diabetics the normal acceptable level is lower than 7 percent. Doctors may recommend it to be 6% during pregnancy. The level more than 7 may indicate a change to your diabetes treatment plan.

It is very important to know the higher values as well. There can be different reasons for higher levels other than diabetes, like severe stress, heart attack, stroke, medicines like corticosteroids or excess production of growth hormone. Doctors may advice you to take different tests to find if you have diabetes. Usually the criteria is fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dL i.e. 7.0mmol/L or higher, for oral glucose tolerance test of 200 mg/dL i.e. 11.1mmol/L and other symptoms of diabetes like frequent urination, unexplained weight loss and increase in appetite, fatigue etc.

The acceptable blood glucose levels may vary depending upon your diabetes and other health conditions. Your doctor would be the best person to express the most acceptable levels. Ensure that you regularly test your sugar level and take due care, medication, exercises, and diet control to keep it within the acceptable range.

Drink lots of water because it is calorie free and helps to flush away the toxins. Flavored water, an excellent healthy drink for diabetics! Did you know that flavored carbonated water has no calories, sugar, body, sweetener, color or preservatives? Read more about flavored and carbonated water at carbonatedseltzerwater

Foods to Lower Blood Glucose - Top Three Foods to Control Glucose Levels

The level of blood sugar in the body is closely related to healthy functioning of the human system. Imbalances in the blood sugar can lead to many problems such as obesity, diabetes or binge eating. A good way to treat this imbalance is to adopt foods to control blood glucose levels. These foods help to lower blood glucose and maintain it at a healthy rate.

Oatmeal:

Oatmeal is one of those carbohydrates that are high in fiber. The high fiber content helps to slow down the speed of digestion. This is because the digestive system takes more time to process the nutrients and carbohydrate from the fiber content. As a result there is a slow and constant release of glucose from the oatmeal. This keeps the blood sugar level constant, and keeps you full for a longer time. Consequently you will eat less and will be able to lose weight as well. Other high fiber whole grains such as barley are also effective which helps in controlling the level of blood glucose.

Non starchy vegetables:

Vegetables like broccoli, beans, peas and spinach which have little or no starch are also a good choice to lower blood sugar level as they are high in fiber and low in carbohydrates. These are especially good for people with diabetes. And they help to supply a good amount of nutrition and fiber without adding too many carbohydrates.

Strawberries:

Strawberries are an ideal snack compared to candy or chocolate because they contain fructose, but at the same time they are rich in fiber and have a lot of water as well. Their overall carbohydrate and calorie content is low. They are also fare low on the Glycemic chart due to high fiber content. So the release of sugar is not sudden but slow and controlled.

Lean meat:

Lean meats such as turkey, skinned chicken breast and fatless cuts of meat are high in protein. They do not have a significant effect on the blood sugar level. They also rate low on the Glycemic index which means that they take time to digest. This will ensure that you will feel full for longer.

Cinnamon:

Recent research has found that cinnamon may be very useful in controlling blood sugar levels because it has works like insulin to digest sugar. Experiments have proved that a regular intake of cinnamon extract has a moderate effect in reducing blood sugar levels.

Taking Control of Your Diabetes: Healthy Diet

Dr. Steven Edelman and dietitian Lorena Drago discuss nutrition and practical ways to eat well with diabetes, at home or at your favorite restaurant. Series: Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD) [12/2008] [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 15595]



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAEpoH2qA88&hl=en