The Sintrom is the trade name for a drug whose active up is acenocoumarol, which is the oral anticoagulant most commonly used type. So much so that many people, when they want to refer to some other anticoagulant such as warfarin or aldocumar, refer to them by the name of Sintrom.
Despite being a widely used drug, many people are unaware that an inappropriate diet can alter its function, which can cause serious health problems. If you want to know the prohibited foods when taking Sintrom, we invite you to continue reading this article on FastlyHeal.
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Cases in which the use of Sintrom is indicated
Among the characteristics of blood is forming clots, which perform a function similar to a plug when a blood vessel breaks to stop bleeding. Under certain circumstances, the blood has an increased ability to produce clots, leading to blockages of blood circulation at the site of formation of a said clot (thrombosis) or a distance (embolism).
The function of Sintrom and other anticoagulants such as warfarin is to decrease in a controlled way the ability of the blood to form clots, making it more fluid and reducing the risk of thrombus or emboli formation. Some of the main indications for the consumption of these anticoagulants are the following:
- Atrial fibrillation
- Hereditary thrombophilia
- venous thromboembolism
- Heart valve carriers
- Valvular disease
- Patients with a history of myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular events (CVD)
Sintrom contraindications and prohibited foods
Vitamin K is an essential element in the clot formation process. Sintrom exerts its action by stopping the clotting factors dependent on vitamin K. By increasing the amount of this vitamin in the blood, Sintrom and other oral anticoagulants like warfarin lose their action, so vitamin K is considered an antidote to oral anticoagulants, including Sintrom.
Many foods consumed daily have high amounts of vitamin K in their composition, which is why the client can produce a decrease in the action of Sintrom. The foods that should be taken into account are the following:
- High-content vegetables are the primary source of vitamin K in the regular diet, predominantly yellow or dark green vegetables. It is essential for those dieting to lose weight while taking Sintrom. Among those with the highest content, we have broccoli, spinach, beets, cabbage, asparagus, romaine lettuce, green turnip, cabbage, chives, and parsley.
- Medium content vegetables: among these, we have green bell pepper, tomato, iceberg lettuce, cauliflower, green beans, celery, peas, cucumber, and carrots.
- Meat and fish: foods of animal origin have very little vitamin K content. The only exceptions are liver and foods canned in oil, such as tuna and the like.
- Oils: It isn’t straightforward because although corn or sunflower oil provides more minor amounts of vitamin K, they are much less healthy than other oils. Those with the highest vitamin K content are olive oil, rapeseed oil, and margarine.
- Cereals: Generally, care must be taken with foods prepared industrially since they usually have vitamin K due to the oils used in their preparation, for example, cookies, cakes, industrial pastries, and in general, what is considered junk food.
- Nuts: Pine nuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, and cashews.
- Fruits: Grapes, papayas, and kiwi, the latter being the fruit with the highest vitamin K content. Dried fruits such as raisins, figs, and prunes can have high levels of vitamin K.
- Alcohol: The relationship between Sintrom and alcohol is complicated. You can have a glass of wine or a glass of beer to eat; it is better to do it regularly than sporadically. But since alcohol interacts with blood thinners, you should never abuse it.
- Other foods: Butter and oregano.
Suggested diet for patients taking Sintrom
Although the foods mentioned above have the highest levels of vitamin K, this does not mean that they cannot be ingested in a standard diet together with the consumption of vitamin K or Sintrom. Only their contribution should be considered, not to abuse or combined.
Here are some recommendations and tips when it comes to having a correct diet if you take Sintrom:
- The recommended diet for patients who consume Sintrom is based on cereals such as bread, rice, pasta, and their derivatives.
- Food of animal origin can be consumed without concern about vitamin K. Still, caution should be exercised in animal foods high in fat, such as bacon, sausages, and cheeses. The consumption of fish is preferable.
- Some vegetables that can be consumed without concern are corn, onion, lentils, potatoes, squash, chickpeas, eggplant, red pepper, mushrooms, and radish.
- The vegetables have little vitamin K, so their use is recommended up to 4 times a week.
- There are few fruits with significant vitamin K content, so the daily consumption of several servings of fruits is suggested.
- The use of extra virgin olive oil is preferable because it is the healthiest in the world, even though other oils provide less vitamin K.
- Care must be taken with vitamin supplements.
For people taking Sintrom and other oral anticoagulants, the best decision regarding their diet is to consult a nutritionist to help them plan a diet low in vitamin K without neglecting other nutritional components. This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.