SCS - Can I take VitaCell+ with my blood-thinning medication?

VitaCell+ is made from food sources, with natural ingredients, no artificial sweeteners, non-GMO, soy and gluten-free. 

It's been formulated to be safe for healthy adults over age 18. We are not aware of any potential food or supplement interactions.  

However, if you have a medical condition or a concern about a potential interaction between an ingredient or product and a medication you are taking we recommend you always consult with your personal physician so they can help you decide if the product is 100% safe for you.  

There are a couple of ingredients in VitaCell+ that have controversial opinions in regards to their possible interactions with blood thinners. They are turmeric and green tea extract. Here is the research regarding these ingredients and blood thinners.

Turmeric

Curcumin (the active component of turmeric) produces anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet effects [20, 24, 26]. In vitro experiments have demonstrated that the antiplatelet effect of curcumin/turmeric is due to inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism and TXA2 synthesis [20, 26, 27, 46]. However, there are no reports regarding the effect of the compound on blood clotting/bleeding. Similarly, there are neither experimental nor clinical data indicating interactions between turmeric and antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin and other NSAIDs. The risk for abnormal bleeding cannot, however, be ruled out with the use of turmeric, especially in the presence of blood-thinning drugs under certain circumstances, such as increased susceptibility of consumers and the use of large doses. Assuming these possibilities, caution needs to be applied when curcumin or turmeric is used either alone or in combination with antiplatelet medications.

Green tea

In relation to blood clotting, green tea has been reported to contain some vitamin K as well as antiplatelet polyphenols [7, 8, 26]. Due to the presence of vitamin K, it is implicated in counteracting the effects anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin, under certain conditions. Although further work is needed to establish this finding, in the interim, it is advisable to be vigilant when patients on green tea supplement receive treatment with blood-thinning drugs (e.g., nonopioid analgesics) and/or undergo invasive procedures.

Information is from the Review of herbal medications with the potential to cause bleeding: dental implications, and risk prediction and prevention avenues.

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27. The Review of Natural Products, 7th ed. Wolters Kluwer Health, St. Louis, Missouri; 2012.

46. Srivastavs CK, Bordia A, Verma SK. Cucumin, a major component of food spice, turmeric, inhibits aggregation of and alters ecosanoid metabolism in human blood platelets. Prostaglandin Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2000;52:223–227. doi: 10.1016/0952-3278(95)90040-3. [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]

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