Medical No Nos

9/11/11Anticoagulant Therapy and AMDDietary Recommendations• Lutein and zeaxanthin are the two carotenoid pigments thatseem to be most important in guarding against AMD.• Found in green and yellow produce.• Zeaxanthin is found in yellow corn, yellow and orangepeppers, winter squash, carrots, yams, cantaloupes, peaches,oranges, mangos, and nectarines.• Lutein is found in green leafy vegetables such as the lettuce,spinach, and cabbage families (cabbage, broccoli, brusselsprouts, collard or mustard greens, kale), and parsley andit’s relatives (celery, cilantro, dill and fennel).Anticoagulant Therapy and AMDDietary Recommendations• Many of these same foods are contraindicated in individuals onanticoagulant therapy with Warfarin (coumadin).• Foods to avoid while on anticoagulant therapy because they arerich in Vitamin K and therefore reduce the effect of coumadin :– Kale– Spinach– Brussel sprouts– Collard greens– Mustard greens– Chard– Green teaAnticoagulant Therapy and AMDDietary Recommendations DO NOT recommend these foods in patients onanticoagulant therapy with warfarin or coumadin. Youcan instead advise them to utilize direct supplementswhich do not contain vitamin K.5