Blood platelets are blood components that are important for blood clotting function. Platelet levels are very important to balance--if you don't have enough, you will have a difficult time stopping bleed from a cut or scrape. Too many, and you may have trouble with blood clots, which can block blood flow. Depending on where these blockages are, they can cause heart attacks, strokes, and thromboembolism.
Inflammatory diseases like PCOS are associated with changes in platelet function. In fact, women with PCOS do have problems with"sticky blood"--that is, blood that forms clots too easily. This aspect of PCOS is not weight dependent--you can have the same problem if you are lean as a woman who has weight to lose. Some of the changes in your clotting function are a function of the disease and likely would exist without any medical intervention. Other changes may be due to medications you are being prescribed. Birth control pills promote platelet activity, while metformin, decreases it.
Did you know that the same lifestyle choices inCYST promotes for weight loss, better fertility, healthier skin, and every other aspect of PCOS, is also good for healthier platelets?
1. Omega-3 fatty acids promote healthy blood clotting function. They also help to promote better melatonin balance. Melatonin is an important compound to platelets; it helps them to be less"sticky".
2. Physical activity improves circulation. Blood that is not moving is blood that has a tendency to coagulate. The more physically active you are, the less opportunity you have for platelets to collect and decide they should stick together.
3. As I just mentioned, melatonin is important to platelet function. If you're prioritizing sleep, you're giving melatonin a chance to do its job. Deprive yourself, and you give platelets the go-ahead to congregate. Melatonin is so important for platelet function, some researchers believe it may be a therapeutic supplement in people with heart disease, with similar functions to aspirin and Plavix. Who knew, a little bit of extra shut eye might be equally as powerful?*
*Any medication you have been prescribed for the purpose of altering how your blood flows and clots should not be discontinued without the consent of the physician who prescribed it. This could be a deadly choice. For anyone who is interested, I do have research I found describing some of the benefits of melatonin supplementation in heart disease. I'm happy to share it. Please share with your physician and discuss before making any changes.
If you're on any medication for blood thinning or platelet management, consider making some simple changes in your overall lifestyle that may have far-reaching benefit.
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