3. Coumadin or Warfarin
Prescribed For: Blood Clots
This medication is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) that prevents the formation and migration of blood clots.
Side effects (12):
- Haemorrhage (bleeding)
- Bleeding from the gums after you brush your teeth
- Swelling or pain at an injection site
- Black or bloody stool
- Severe headaches or stomach pain
- Joint pain, discomfort or swelling, especially after an injury
- Vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
- Bruising that develops without an injury you remember
- Dizziness or weakness
- Heavier than normal menstrual bleeding or bleeding between menstrual periods
- Diarrhea, vomiting or inability to eat for more than 24 hours
- Fever
Natural Alternatives:
- Vitamin C – 1,000 mg daily. Vitamin C coats red blood cell walls and prevents them from breaking and bleeding. You need to be careful however because too much of this Vitamin can inhibit calcium absorption
- Vitamin E -400 IU. Vitamin E coats red blood cells and binds collagen in blood vessels to prevent bleeding and strokes.
- Turmeric, bromelain, garlic are also excellent blood thinners and can help strengthen the blood vessels (13).
4. Cholesterol Lowering Drugs
Prescribed for: Lowering Cholesterol
There are several types of cholesterol-lowering drugs. Atromid and Lopid, for example, work by absorbing bile acids that are produced from cholesterol in your intestinal tract. You’ve no doubt heard of “statin drugs.” These medications work by reducing the production of cholesterol in your liver and altering the way in which LDL cholesterol enters your cells.
Side effects:
- Myositis –inflammation of your muscles.
- Rhabdomyolysis (rare) – With this condition, muscles all over the body become painful and weak. The severely damaged muscles release proteins into your blood that collects in your kidneys, which can be damaged in an effort to eliminate large amounts of muscle breakdown caused by statin use. This can lead to kidney failure.
Natural Alternatives:
- Foods such as fish and whole foods including oats, nuts, beans, spinach and avocados
- Supplements such as Chinese red yeast rice, green tea, niacin, artichoke leaf extract, soluble fiber and policonsanol (made from Cuban sugarcane wax) (14).
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