Olive Oil, Fish, & Walnuts
Olive Oil
You might think you have to stay away from any sort of fat or oil if you’re having issues keeping your veins clear of clots. Animal fat in particular is bad for clotting, which does mean you should take it easy on the steaks and bacon. However, monounsaturated fats, like those in olive oil, are actually great for a heart healthy diet.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports that the phenols contained in virgin olive oil can actually help prevent clots by lowering chemicals like factor VII that encourage the blood to form clots. Additionally, these phenols have antioxidant properties, which means overall healthier blood vessels. Try substituting olive oil for other oils or butter in recipes to increase your consumption. It also makes a great salad dressing or dip for bread.
Fish
While you want to avoid high-fat meats in your DVT diet, you still need to get protein from somewhere, and fish is a great alternative. Several varieties, like salmon, anchovies, and herring, are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for the cardiovascular system, and DVT in particular. In fact, they can improve cholesterol levels and help blood vessels that are getting thick and causing atherosclerosis, a condition which can also lead to excessive clotting. In general you should try to fit at least two servings of fish into your weekly diet.
Walnuts
Walnuts are another great source of omega-3 fatty acids, especially if you don't eat animal products. In addition to this heart healthy nutrient, they also contain vitamin E, which acts as a natural anticoagulant. This combination makes walnuts a great asset to a diet to fight deep vein thrombosis.
Did you know...
- A hearty laugh is good for the heart. Laughing can increase blood flow by 20%. Additionally, looking on the bright side can help you live longer. Studies have shown that a more optimistic outlook is linked to a healthier heart, lower blood pressure, and a lower risk for coronary artery disease.
- Does your job make you stressed? We all know that stress is psychologically bad for you, but it also has an effect on…your allergies? A Harvard Medical School study has shown that stress causes your allergies to become worse because your body's defense response loses efficacy when repeatedly triggered by stress. Then, when you really need to physically fight something off, you're less able to!
- Need a quick cool down? Try drinking some hot liquid. It's true! As counterintuitive as it may seem, the heat from hot liquids will raise your body temperature. This will heat you up and cause you to sweat. The increased perspiration will wind up helping you feel cooler as it evaporates. Try it out!
- Are you currently or often tired? As contradictory as it may sound, one of the best things you can do is exercise! It gives you more energy by improving your blood flow and increasing your oxygen throughout your body. You don't need to do much; a brisk walk is all it takes!
- Do you know what the strongest muscle in your body is? No, it’s not your biceps or your thighs. It’s actually in your head. The masseter is a muscle in the jaw that is used when chewing. When all of the muscles of the jaw work together, they can exert a force as strong as 200 pounds on the molars. That’s some serious pressure.