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Fibrinogen is a
protein that makes the blood sticky. During the blood clotting
process, the blood-vessel walls or the clotting factors in the blood
release a chemical into the bloodstream. This causes fibrinogen, an
inert protein found in blood plasma, to be converted into fibrin. The
fibrin molecule is unique in its ability to link together, forming
long threads that wrap around the platelet plug. The threads act much
like a spider-web, catching more platelets, red blood cells, and
other substances to form a clot. Fibrinogen over-production can lead
to major health problems resulting from excessive clotting.
Fibrinogen can
induce a heart attack via several mechanisms. Increased platelet
aggregation, hyper-coagulation and excessive blood thickening have
all been identified as negative by-products of inflammatory induced
fibrinogen production. A study published in the New
England Journal of Medicine showed
that people who have high levels of fibrinogen are twice as likely to
suffer from heart attack as those with normal levels.
(Rader
DJ. Inflammatory markers of coronary risk. N Engl J Med 2000 Oct
19;343(16):1179-82).
Medical experts
recommend the following to control fibrinogen levels, bringing them
to the healthy normal range of between 170-450 mg/dl.
Quit smoking
Exercise
regularly
Eat a
balanced diet
De-stress
Increase
intake of omega-3 fatty acids
Consume
moderate amounts of alcohol
Take a daily
low-dose aspirin.
A 1999 study
looked at the connection between moderate alcohol consumption and
fibrinogen levels. Cross-sectional
data on self-reported alcohol
consumption and fibrinogen, measured
by the immunonephelometric method,
of 4967 men and women aged 30
to 64 years were used. Results indicated that consumption of wine
and spirits was associated with
fibrinogen, whereas consumption of
beer or cider was not. The researchers concluded that moderate
drinking may lower fibrinogen
concentration.
(Arteriosclerosis,
Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.
1999;19:887-892).
Aspirin
is the most commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. Even at
low doses, it reduces the tendency of the blood to clot, and is
therefore useful to prevent heart attacks and strokes. The
anti-clotting effect means aspirin is best avoided in injuries that
tend to bleed. Its anti-inflammatory effects make it useful for
tendonitis.
(Claria
J, Serhan CN 1995. Aspirin triggers previously undescribed bioactive
eicosanoids by human endothelial cell-leukocyte interactions. Proc
Natl Acad Sci USA 92: 9475-
9479).
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