Deep Vein Thrombosis treatment and prevention with natural supplements by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Deep vein thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein. It is a form of thrombophlebitis (inflammation of a vein with clot formation).

The risk of developing a blood clot or deep vein thrombosis increase after sitting on a plane for four hours or longer. Tall people whose legs are jammed in economy class or those who are very short and whose feet do not touch the ground have a higher risk of blood clots linked to immobility during travel.

Q. I developed a DVT from a long plane flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo and my doctor put me on warfarin for 2 months. Is the blood thinner nattokinase useful in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis? Are there herbs or vitamins that are helpful?
   A. As of May 2009, I cannot find any studies regarding the use of nattokinase enzyme as a treatment or prevention of deep vein thrombosis.