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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    How can you get your daily intake of Omega when taking Warfarin

    Related Topic
    Cardiology & Vascular Health
    Warfarin / Coumadin interacts. I'd like to know if there are any options to overcome this?
    • 2 answers
    • Dr Rebecca Reynolds
    • Nicole Senior
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  • Dr Rebecca Reynolds

    Nutritionist

    Rebecca Charlotte Reynolds, PhD (Dr Bec) Personable and ethical registered nutritionist (RNutr) and lecturer at UNSW Australia in lifestyle and health. Regular consultant to the … View Profile

    Hi!

    Some good resources on warfarin-diet interactions:

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/warfarin/AN00455

    http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-3-000971.htm

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14742793

    I would talk to the doctor who prescribed you warfarin about getting your omega-3s.  I would think that not taking supplements and eating oily fish like salmon a few times a week would be a sensible idea:

    "This level is also consistent with the recently revised NHMRC Dietary Guidelines for Australians ( NHMRC 2003) which recommend increasing the LC omega-3 fat intake to about 400 mg/day. In this context, a total intake of 0.2% energy, or about 0.6 g/day for men and 0.4 g/day for women, is reasonable. It is also consistent with current National Heart Foundation advice (NHF 1999) to eat at least two fish meals per week (preferably oily fish) which is equivalent to about 430–570 mg/day."
    http://www.nrv.gov.au/disease/macronutrient.htm

    :) Dr Bec

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    Thanks

    Nicole Senior

    Dietitian, Nutritionist

    I'm an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Nutritionist, consultant, author, speaker and food and health enthusiast. I love talking and writing about food and health.(please note, … View Profile

    There is a possibility that taking omega-3 supplements in large doses may further increase bleeding time while taking Warfarin, however consuming foods rich in omega-3s in recommended amounts should not be a problem (eg 2 fish meals per week). Remember there are two types of omega-3: the short chain ALA found in canola oil and margarines, walnuts and linseeds, and the long chain DHA and EPA found in fish, seafood, lean red meat and eggs. You need both types for good heart health. If you wish to take omega-3 (fish oil) supplements, talk to your doctor about the best dose for you.

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