Flax Seeds and A-fib

[Ailsablue]

Hi everyone, I was thinking of introducing milled flax seeds in to my diet as a health thing after watching a programme on them. However, after doing a Google search I am finding that certain sites are pointing towards it not being a good thing when on Anticoagulants. I’m on Apixiban,Bisoprolol and digoxin. Does anyone have any words of wisdom on taking seeds/nuts as a health benefit to Atrial Fibrillation. Thank you 😊

[BobD Volunteer]

You should always discuss any sort of supplements with your dispensing pharmacist so he/she can advise on any contraindications.

[Ailsablue in reply to BobD]

thank you Bob, that’s probably what I think I might do.

[CDreamer]

I am really struggling to see the connection other than it’s richest source of plant based Omega 3 but ask your Pharmacist’s advice to be sure. Flax seeds may and are often suggested to aid bowel movements so that could be the concern? I find this site is quite good for information re supplements/meds and interactions webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingre...

It does mention some interaction but the word is ‘may’ that means no-one really knows because they haven’t done the research. There is a lot of research that shows that Omega 3 is really helpful for CVD but of course doesn’t mention when taken with anticoagulants.

[Ailsablue in reply to CDreamer]

thanks for reply CDreamer. It’s when I read this ..

“Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with FLAXSEED Flaxseed might slow blood clotting. Taking flaxseed along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.”

However as you say it’s the mention of “may/might” that makes you think twice before steam rollering ahead. I’ll maybe try asking the pharmacist next time I’m there. 🤗

[hausjac]

I’ve had this sort of conversation with my cardio in the past and he usually comments that it’s big pharma covering its a**e but not too much of a problem unless taken in large quantities

[CDreamer in reply to hausjac]

I think the quantity, the timing, the way your body metabolises drugs and food and also, as mentioned in the link I posted - what sort of gut microbes you have and whether or not you have depleted them by using antibiotics. Your cardio is correct IMHO - covering their risk of litigation - especially in US!

[Ppiman]

I think that might be warfarin as, to my knowledge, the newer DOAC types such as apixaban are not affected by anything in the diet.

I used flax seeds for a long time and had no problems - nor any useful effects, either, sadly. They are said to be good for IBS and constipation, though. Like many of these so-called health-foods, they seem not to work on us! It's annoying.

Steve

[Ailsablue in reply to Ppiman]

thanks Steve, the post didn’t name any anticoagulants so what you say could be correct. Shame they didn’t do anything for you though.

[chicolini]

It's not exactly an interaction as its all about the omega 3, which is in the flaxseed (linseed). They say the same thing about fish oil. Both products act as a blood thinner (though who knows exactly how much or how seriously?!) And therefore they say if you take aspirin or anticoagulant medication to be cautious with linseed and fish oils in case you overdose, l suppose.

[Ailsablue in reply to chicolini]

interesting about the Omega 3/fish oils. I’ll look into that one a bit more. Thank you!

[jeanjeannie50]

Why not just add half a teaspoon of flaxseed to your breakfast as I do, I also add the same amount of Chia Bia (milled chia seed). I make a kind of muesli which I cook in the microwave. I use a heaped dessertspoon of flaked buckwheat, the chia bia, flaxseed, 2 chopped dates and a sprinkling of sultanas, pumpkin and also sunflower seeds. Mix all together with quite a lot of milk (more than you think you would need), pop into the microwave for 2 mins, take out and stir add more milk if needed, then back in the microwave for another two minutes. Again when you take it out to eat add more milk if needed.

Jean

[Ailsablue in reply to jeanjeannie50]

thanks Jean I’ve taken a snap shot of your recipie. It’s actually what the programme I was watching suggested - to put some of it in your breakfast cereal so it got me to thinking.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Ailsablue]

As I made my breakfast this morning I realised that I'd forgotten to put that I always add a good pinch of cinnamon or ginger .

[Ailsablue in reply to jeanjeannie50]

lol! and I do like the lovely flavour of a bit of cinnamon so that’s great - thank you again Jean 👍

[Cholla3 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Isn't flaxseed suppose to be ground up before ingesting? There are studies that support and do not support the use of fish oil for the heart. It is almost impossible to get the recommended amount of fish oil from food. We eat a lot of wild caught tuna with dark greens. I also pop a 1000 unit of fish oil. Any suggestions for a better approach? (I also watch closely for bruising when I start fish oil. Don't see any increase.)

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Cholla3]

Yes, my flaxseed is always milled.

Chia Bia (milled chia seed) is a good source of Omega 3, as are mangoes and walnuts (I eat walnuts daily along with other nuts). I also have salmon once a week, not sure of any other sources.

Jean

[Gumbie_Cat]

I did stop my fish oil supplement after reading that it wasn’t good with apixaban and changed to a simple D3 capsule. Though I’ve just kept the flax seeds, as I regard them as a food rather than a supplement.

Bad enough coping with A Fib without being miserable, worried about everything that passes my lips, and constipated too.

[Ailsablue in reply to Gumbie_Cat]

exactly, especially when you want to try to be healthier as per afib advice.

[doodle68]

I have mixed seed including flax in my organic porridge every morning have done so for years. Look at my heavy AF burden now the seeds don't seem to have made much difference .

[Ailsablue in reply to doodle68]

that’s a pest when you’ve stuck at it for years.

[Visitingcat]

A good few years ago when I was on warfarin I started having Greek youghurt with a spoonful milled flaxseed mix which came in a pouch similar to the microwave rice packets you get in supermarkets and a spoonful of chia seeds.

I mixed them in the evenings and had them for breakfast, absolutely delicious.

A couple of weeks later I went for my INR test at the warfarin clinic, when the nurse tested the blood and waited for it to reach its level she said it’s not stopping!

It went up to about 5.5, should have been around 2.5.

The breakfast was the only thing I’d changed, really disappointing as I’d enjoyed it so much. It taught me to be more careful to check new things carefully befor eating them.

I’ve since gone on apixaban and don’t really check as much as it works differently so I didn’t think I needed to. I’ve never gone back to the flax seeds though.

I’m about to go on edoxoban soon after being pushed onto it by my GP surgery, hope I get on with it as well as the apixaban which has been great, no trouble at all.

[Ailsablue in reply to Visitingcat]

its taught me a lesson too as I think if it hadn’t been for the programme I would have been totally ignorant. Mind you if I hadn’t seen the programme I wouldn’t have been encouraged to look into trying the seeds lol!

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Ailsablue]

I take Warfarin and have my own machine for testing my INR. The small amount of Flaxseed I have makes no difference whatsoever. Perhaps larger doses do, who knows. No ingredients in my breakfast have changed my INR result.

Jean

[Ailsablue in reply to jeanjeannie50]

that gives me hope Jean, that anything new I put in my mouth since my diagnosis doesn’t need to be analysed within an inch of its life lol! 🤔

[Visigoth]

I’ve been having flaxseed mixed into my breakfast for years and it never occurred to me there could be an interaction! I certainly haven’t had any problems as far as I’m aware.

[Ailsablue in reply to Visigoth]

that would have been me too as it was only me looking as to who stocked the flaxseeds that prompted other info on anticoagulants to pop up. What a minefield this afib throws up b

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

I was talking to my Dr about buying this special breakfast with flaxseeds.

My Dr said the natual oats are as good.

I buy Harraways Organic full oats.

cheers JOY

[BlueINR]

My only words of wisdom would be: don't rely on it to help with your heart. Irregular rhythms are caused by signals in the heart not operating properly. Don't think any food or supplement that would help with that. Supplements make the companies that produce them richer, and all kinds of supps are touted as helping with things they can do nothing for. And, as Bob posted, talk to pharmacist re concerns.

[Ailsablue]

no I wouldn’t rely on it to help with my heart. I am just looking for ways forward that will help with my general health/diet. Thanks though!