Serum fibrinogen has emerged as a powerful new marker for heart and cardiovascular disease risk. An elevated fibrinogen level predicts risk of heart disease or stroke significantly better than an elevated cholesterol level.

Fibrinogen plays a central role in the chemical cascade that results in blood clotting. Fibrinogen is a large plasma protein molecule that is normally soluble in the blood. When the clotting cascade is activated, fibrinogen is converted to a solid form called fibrin. Fibrin forms the sticky weblike matrix that traps red blood cells to form a clot.

An elevated fibrinogen level is 2-3 times as accurate as elevated cholesterol at predicting heart attack risk. Normal fibrinogen levels are below 250. 250-300 can be considered borderline. Above 300 is elevated.

How to lower fibrinogen levels

• Bromelain, a pineapple-derived anti-inflammatory enzyme, has been shown to normalize elevated fibrinogen. Take 2-4 capsules twice daily.
• Flaxseed oil inhibits excessive platelet aggregation and excessive thromboxane activity, while also lowering fibrinogen levels. Thromboxanes, a family of compounds formed in blood platelets, control the tendency of platelets to stick together and initiate blood clotting. Fibrinogen contributes to the protein infrastructure of blood clots. Persons at risk for coronary heart disease and stroke, produce the kind of thromboxane that contributes to platelet clumping and excessive amounts of fibrinogen. Researchers report that alpha-linolenic acid in flaxseed is an effective agent for markedly lowering biosynthesis of unfavorable thromboxanes and fibrinogen.
• The spice turmeric inhibits the formation of fibrinogen, and thus lowers blood levels. Turmeric can reduce fibrinogen levels, thereby inhibiting blood clotting. In one study by scientists in Spain, researchers selected eight subjects with elevated fibrinogen levels and treated them with 20 mg of Curcuma longa (turmeric) extract per day. After only 15 days, previously elevated levels of fibrinogen plummeted in all eight subjects.