Does Flaxseed Interact With Warfarin?

Quick Answer

Studies are mixed in regard to whether or not flaxseed consumption increases the risk of bleeding while taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs (like warfarin and clopidogrel). The risk of a serious interaction is unlikely but it is important to be monitored and look out for signs and symptoms of bruising/bleeding if you do take them together.

Detailed Answer

Coumadin (warfarin) is an anticoagulant medication prescribed to prevent blood clots. In familiar terms, it is known as a 'blood thinner'.

Flaxseed, which comes from the flax plant, is small, oval-shaped, and can be consumed in a variety of ways, including ground, whole, or oil form. The seeds are known for their many health benefits due to their high content of essential fatty acids, fiber, and other nutrients.

Flaxseed is rich in essential fatty acids, specifically alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which belongs to the omega-3 family of fatty acids, and linoleic acid (LA) which belongs to the omega-6 family of fatty acids. These fatty acids are essential because our body cannot produce them and they must be obtained through our diet.

ALA can be converted into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish. Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to be beneficial for cardiovascular health, inflammation, and cognitive function, while omega-6 fatty acids are important for maintaining the integrity of cell membranes and helping with immune function.

However, EPA and DHA have been associated with having a mild blood thinning effect.

Blood-Thinning Effects?

The answer of whether or not flaxseed interacts with warfarin is not straightforward, and more research is needed to draw definitive conclusions.

There is some evidence to suggest that flaxseed may have mild anticoagulant (i.e., blood-thinning) effects, but these findings are mainly limited to diabetic patients according to one study. Most studies in healthy individuals have not found significant changes in platelet aggregation or overall coagulation after supplementing their diet with flaxseed oil.

Although flaxseed contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is similar to the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils that are known to inhibit platelet aggregation (and ALA can be converted to these omega-3 fatty acids), many studies have not found any changes in platelet aggregation after supplementing with flaxseed for one to three months.

One study even compared the effects of supplementing with ALA from flaxseed oil versus EPA and DHA from fish oil in healthy individuals and found no significant differences in bleeding time, plasma fibrinogen concentration, or other coagulation factors between the two groups.

Only a few studies have reported some changes in platelet aggregation with flaxseed consumption, but more research is needed to draw definitive conclusions on whether ALA affects bleeding times. The ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids contained in flaxseed is likely a significant factor in regulating how our blood clots.

Final Words

In summary, there is a theoretical possibility that the fatty acids in flaxseed may have a mild anticoagulant effect, which could increase the risk of bleeding when combined with blood-thinning drugs like warfarin.

However, most studies have shown that flaxseed does not affect blood coagulation in healthy individuals.

To be safe, it's important to inform your doctor about all the supplements and medications you are taking, including flaxseed, so you can be monitored. As always, it's also important to be mindful of any signs of easy bruising or bleeding when taking warfarin.