Hello.

Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com.

I understand your concern.

Its true that aspirin can increase the risk of cerebral micro-bleeds in individuals in whom such a risk exists. As long as you are maintaining a healthy lifestyle and you do not have other significant risk factors for heart disease or stroke necessitating Aspirin prophylaxis, you do not have to take Aspirin.

Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils can increase the risk of bleeding from anywhere in the body, particularly at doses of three grams daily or greater. Since you only take about 2 grams and you do not have any bleeding disorders, you do not have to worry. Garlic too has a theoretical bleeding risk.

Celery seed, grape seed extract, Coenzyme Q10 and the others; when taken in conjunction with other anticoagulant drugs or in individuals with pre-existing bleeding disorders raises the bleeding risk. However, you are only on other supplements, not anticoagulant drugs.

High doses of a specific mushroom, the reishi mushroom might increase the risk of bleeding in people with thrombocytopenia(decreased platelet count).

Arginine and Carnitine taken orally have not shown any risk of bleeding.

All in all, no research exists about any of these supplements cause bleeding when taken together. Most of their benefit in lowering blood pressure is not supported by good quality clinical trials. 

Personally I would not recommend these supplements. Mild to moderate hypertension can be controlled by dietary changes and regular exercise and higher grades with medication, thus obviating the need for these supplements.

However, since you haven't experienced any adverse effects by taking them, you can continue to do so. Blood thinning can be monitored by simple tests such as Bleeding and Clotting Times or more complex ones such PT(Prothrombin Time), APTT(Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time) and INR ratio which are done for patients on anti-coagulation therapy.

I hope that addresses your concern.

Feel free to ask queries.

Thank you.

Thanks for writing to us again. We are happy to help you in whatever possible way.

The supplements mentioned by your doctor, and the dosage that he has given doesn't predispose you to any micro-bleeding. Aspirin is an unique drug in itself, and some doctors still firmly believe in its effects and some have disapproved its usage. Aspirin indeed, acts in a different way, by blocking the action of a compound in our body called Thromboxane, which is responsible for platelet accumulation in sites of bleeding. Since aspirin blocks this effect, it can lead to micro-bleeds as you correctly specified. So my advise would be to continue wroking out,bring your weight and BMI down, and continue taking the other supplements. Then you will stay in good shape. At this point, since you're only 34 avoid aspirin.

Hope that answers your query,

Do post additional queries,

Regards

Hello.

Yes, my opinion on these supplements too remains the same. As long as you are taking your treating doctor's approval for these, there should not be any problems.

The mechanism of action of most herbs? is not fully elucidated and research is on-going in this field. The Reishi mushroom for example, seems to have anti-coagulant action due to its inhibition of platelets from aggregating and forming a clot. However, the exact chemical process is still unknown. Aspirin too inhibits platelet aggregation. Even then, it is unlikely that any of the active compounds from these herbs have the same chemical pathway and risks as Aspirin.

I hope that answers your question. Let me know if you have any queries

Thank you.