On average 1 person in the United States dies from a blood clot every 6 minutes, which adds up to about 274 people per day.

As the baby boomer generation ages and the national obesity epidemic worsens, this number is expected to grow considerably.

Not surprisingly, the pharmaceutical industry has taken notice and the global market for anticoagulant drugs now exceeds 18.9 billion dollars, largely dominated by just a few stand-out drugs like Warfarin (aka Coumadin), Rivaroxaban (Xarelto), and Apixaban (Eliquis). These are very profitable chemicals.

Hidden Costs of a High Profit Margin

It also comes as no surprise that these profitable drugs carry a steep price— especially physiologically.

Anticoagulant drugs are responsible for nearly half of all adverse drug events. 48.8%, to be precise. Considering all the opioid overdoses, negative drug interactions, incorrect prescriptions, and painkiller addictions that occur, this is not a small number.

A list of anticoagulant side effects includes:

• Bloody Urine and/or stool
• Vomiting or Coughing up Blood
• Difficulty Breathing or Chest Pain
• Vaginal bleeding
• Severe bruising
• Sudden severe back pain
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Indigestion
• Fever
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Severe abdominal pain
• Joint Pain and swelling
• Hair loss
• Rashes

In addition, they come with a host of potentially dangerous interactions with normally healthy foods like garlic, spinach, broccoli, cranberries, green tea, ginseng, and others.

Even more alarming, while they can reduce the risk of ischemic stroke (blood clots that block blood flow to a part of the body) they actually increase the risk of the more dangerous hemorrhagic stroke (blood clots that burst the vein and leak into surrounding tissue).

These drugs have their place in certain medical situations, but the epidemic facing the American population needs a better solution.

Fortunately, nature often provides elegant solutions to complicated problems.

Nature’s Elegant Solution for Cardiovascular Health

Fish oil is well known for its many health benefits—for inflammation, the nervous system and mental health, joint health—and particularly cardiovascular health.

Studies have shown that omega 3 fatty acids like those found in fish oil prevent cardiac arrest by lowering triglycerides and countering platelet clumping. Fish oil showed a 48% reduction in venous thrombosis (blood clots in the veins).

Another study showed fish oil lowered triglyceride levels nearly 50% and blood pressure 7% in just 3-6 weeks, both measurements relevant to the risk of stroke. The same study showed it thinned the blood an average of 12% and increased clotting time by 14%.

Even the FDA, notorious for denying nutritional claims, acknowledges animal-based Omega 3s like EPA and DHA found in fish oil are anti-arrhythmic, anti-thrombotic, anti-atherosclerotic, lower blood pressure, and lower triglyceride levels.

The benefit of not just positive effects, but also positive side-effects is compelling.

Instead of occasionally vomiting blood, your joints may function better. Instead of potentially losing your hair or suffering intense abdominal pain, your mood is elevated, your mental functioning is improved, and you lower your risk of dementia.

Fish Oil’s Imperfection and Another Naturally Elegant Solution

Fish oil, however, is not a perfect solution. One major disadvantage is its shelf-life. Omega 3s are fragile molecules and easily oxidized. If exposed to light, heat, or oxygen, the oil can quickly turn rancid and lose its potency.

Fortunately, nature has another elegant ocean-based solution: astaxanthin.

Astaxanthin is nature's most powerful antioxidant, derived from sea algae. By adding this remarkable natural antioxidant to fish oil, the Omega 3s are protected from oxidation and the shelf life is dramatically extended.

Furthermore, astaxanthin itself comes with its own extra health benefits:

• Eye health
• Anti-inflammation
• Skin health
• Sports performance enhancement