Blood clotting is a crucial process that helps prevent excessive bleeding and promotes wound healing. However, when blood clots form abnormally or obstruct blood flow, they can lead to serious health complications, such as heart attacks and strokes, which are leading causes of death worldwide. These disorders are driven by the progressive blocking of blood vessels that are relatively silent until the attack happens.
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Mounting research shows berberine can help prevent blood clots.
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Berberine works by inhibiting the activity of specific enzymes, factors, and proteins involved in platelet aggregation and the blood clotting process.
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There is currently no established effective dosage for berberine in preventing blood clots. Based on clinical studies, 500–1,500 mg daily is recommended to prevent adverse effects.
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High berberine intake can cause undesirable side effects so follow the recommended dosage and intake guidelines. Children, pregnant/breastfeeding women, people with liver/kidney diseases, people taking medications, and people with allergies should avoid berberine.
Berberine, a natural alkaloid compound found in the roots, leaves, stems, and barks of various plants, has recently emerged as a potential ally against blood clots, in addition to its numerous health benefits.
Here, we will define the role of berberine in combating blood clots. We will explore its mechanism, scientific research, and how to incorporate it into your routine to help maintain optimal cardiovascular health and prevent blood clot-related disorders.
Can berberine prevent blood clots?
Berberine has been shown to have blood-thinning properties, and it may help prevent blood clots. Studies show that berberine may inhibit the formation of clots, break up existing clots, and prevent the formation of new clots.
The evidence is mounting; however, clinical trials are needed to establish effectiveness in humans. It is recommended to talk to your doctor before taking berberine, as it may interact with some medications and cause undesirable effects.
How berberine works against blood clots
With berberine’s anticoagulant properties, it can inhibit the activity of clot-promoting enzymes and reduce the platelet aggregation that promotes clotting.
Berberine has been found to inhibit factors involved in the coagulation cascade, further supporting its antithrombotic effects. It can also influence blood viscosity and circulation, enhance blood flow, and reduce the risk of the development of clots. Berberine was able to block the activity of thrombin, another protein that is involved in blood clot formation.
New evidence also points out that berberine decreases thrombosis risk by reducing the generation of TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide). TMAO is a metabolic by-product of gut microbiota that can induce platelet hyperreactivity and clotting formation, which can lead to atherosclerotic vascular diseases and adverse cardiovascular events. Further experimental and animal studies also demonstrate that berberine has cardioprotective and neuroprotective properties after heart attack and stroke, respectively.
How long does berberine take to work against blood clots?
Based on current studies, berberine can start working against blood clots within a few hours of taking it. However, it may take several weeks or even months for berberine to reach its full potential in preventing blood clots. Berberine may be best as a preventive strategy rather than treating an active blood clot. For people with high risks of blood clot formation, including those who contracted COVID-19, taking berberine may help control the risk.
In active blood clots, seek medical attention to obtain immediate and appropriate treatment.
Blood clot symptoms
Blood clots can cause a heart attack, stroke, and death. Hence, if you are experiencing symptoms of blood clots, you should go to the nearest ER immediately.
Symptoms that may indicate potential blood clot include:
- Redness, and warmth in a leg or arm and sudden breathlessness
- Sharp chest pain (which may intensify during inhalation)
- Presence of a cough or coughing up blood
- Throbbing or cramping pain
- Swelling
Blood clots can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
How to take berberine safely
It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before considering berberine as a preventive measure or supplement for any specific health condition.
As of now, there is no established level of berberine dosage for supplementation. The recommended starting dose of berberine is 500 mg three times a day, as supported by clinical studies that tested dosages ranging from 500–1,500 mg daily. You can increase the dose as needed but do not exceed 1,500 mg per day.
Here are some tips on how to take berberine safely:
- Call an expert. Consult your doctor before taking berberine, as it may interact with some medications.
- Start slow. Start with a low dose and increase gradually as needed.
- Do research. Choose a high-quality berberine supplement from a reputable manufacturer that has third-party testing to ensure that the supplement is free of contaminants.
- Eat. Take berberine with food to reduce the risk of stomach upset.
- Monitor. Keep an eye out for for side effects, such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Do not take berberine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a chronic disease, take medication, or are allergic. Children should also avoid berberine.
If you experience side effects, stop taking berberine and talk to your doctor.
Possible side effects of berberine
Many people take berberine due to its array of health benefits. In addition to preventing blood clots, berberine is also purported to lower blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure, and it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, berberine can also cause side effects, some of which are serious in specific scenarios, especially when taking increased doses.
The most common side effects of berberine include:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Headache
- Dizziness
In rare cases, berberine intake may lead to liver and kidney damage, heart problems, allergic reactions, stomach bleeding, pancreatitis, and hypoglycemia. Therefore, make sure to abide by the standard dosage and intake guidelines to prevent these adverse effects.
Since berberine can reduce blood sugar levels, it heightens the likelihood of hypoglycemia.
Who should not take berberine?
Certain groups of people have substantial risks of severe outcomes and should not take berberine without the direction of their healthcare providers.
The following should avoid berberine:
- Children. Berberine may not be safe and is not recommended for children.
- Pregnant/breastfeeding women. Berberine can cross the placenta and harm the fetus or baby.
- People with liver or kidney disease. Berberine can worsen these conditions.
- People taking certain medications. Berberine can interact with certain medications, such as antibiotics, blood thinners, and diabetes medications.
- People with allergies. Berberine can cause allergic reactions in some people.
Berberine may prevent blood clots, and incorporating it into your routine can provide various health benefits in addition to combatting blood clots. However, more clinical studies are needed to establish its effectiveness in humans. If you are experiencing blood clot symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
FAQ
What is the best herb for blood clotting?
There is no best herb for blood clotting. Some herbs that may help with blood clotting include berberine, turmeric, ginger, and garlic. However, it is important to talk to your doctor before taking any herbs, as they can interact with medications or have other side effects.
Is berberine available over-the-counter or by prescription?
Berberine is available over-the-counter as a dietary supplement and can be purchased without a prescription. However, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement like berberine to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your specific health needs and to avoid any potential interactions with other medications.
What dissolves blood clots fast?
Thrombolytic medications, such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), and anticoagulants like heparin, warfarin, dabigatran, apixaban, and rivaroxaban, can dissolve blood clots quickly. Thrombolytics activate the body's clot-dissolving system, while anticoagulants thin the blood and aid in clot dissolution. Medical supervision is necessary due to potential risks and side effects.
10 resources
- Scientific Reports. Identification of berberine as a direct thrombin inhibitor from traditional Chinese medicine through structural, functional and binding studies.
- Frontiers in Pharmacology. Berberine and Its Main Metabolite Berberrubine Inhibit Platelet Activation Through Suppressing the Class I PI3Kβ/Rasa3/Rap1 Pathway.
- Current Medicinal Chemistry. Berberine Decreases Thrombosis Potential Induced by a High-choline Diet by Inhibiting CutC Enzyme.
- ClinicalTrials.gov. Anti-platelet Effect of Berberine in Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (APLABE-PCI).
- Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology. Berberine ameliorates inflammation in patients with acute coronary syndrome following percutaneous coronary intervention.
- CDC. Venous Thromboembolism (Blood Clots).
- American Heart Association. Understand Your Risk for Excessive Blood Clotting.
- Frontiers in Pharmacology. Berberine Attenuates Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Induced Neuronal Apoptosis by Down-Regulating the CNPY2 Signaling Pathway.
- Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine. Berberine inhibits cardiac remodeling of heart failure after myocardial infarction by reducing myocardial cell apoptosis in rats.
- Free Radical Biology and Medicine. Berberine mitigates high glucose-potentiated platelet aggregation and apoptosis by modulating aldose reductase and NADPH oxidase activity.
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