What supplements can help with easy bruising?

Supplements for Easy Bruising

Vitamin C supplementation is the most effective intervention for people who bruise easily, with additional benefit from vitamin K and bioflavonoids like rutin.

Understanding Easy Bruising

Easy bruising occurs when blood vessels break under the skin, causing discoloration without significant trauma. Several supplements can help strengthen blood vessels and improve clotting function:

First-Line Supplements

1. Vitamin C

   • Crucial for collagen synthesis which strengthens blood vessel walls
   • Recommended dosage: 500-1000mg daily 1
   • Deficiency can cause scurvy with extensive bruising that improves rapidly with supplementation 1

2. Vitamin K

   • Essential for proper blood clotting
   • Deficiency can lead to bleeding and bruising 2
   • Recommended dosage: 100-200mcg daily

3. Bioflavonoids (Rutin)

   • Strengthen capillary walls and reduce bruising
   • Often found in combination with vitamin C supplements
   • May help reduce post-operative bruising 3

Additional Supportive Supplements

1. Iron

   • Consider if bruising is accompanied by fatigue or pallor
   • Recommended dosage: 45-60mg elemental iron daily if deficient 2
   • Take with vitamin C to enhance absorption 2

2. Vitamin E

   • Has antioxidant properties that may help with healing
   • Recommended dosage: 200-400 IU daily 2
   • Caution: High doses may increase bleeding risk in some people 2

When to Seek Medical Evaluation

Easy bruising may sometimes indicate an underlying medical condition. Consider medical evaluation if:

• Bruising occurs without any trauma
• Bruises are large or appear in unusual locations
• Bruising is accompanied by bleeding from gums or nose
• Family history of bleeding disorders
• Taking medications that affect clotting (anticoagulants)

Supplements to Avoid with Easy Bruising

Some supplements may worsen bruising and should be avoided:

• Ginger: May inhibit thromboxane synthetase and decrease platelet aggregation 2
• Ginkgo: Displaces platelet-activating factor from binding sites 2
• Fish oil/omega-3 in high doses: Though recent evidence suggests continuing moderate doses is safe 2

Special Considerations

• Medication interactions: Some supplements may interact with anticoagulant medications
• Timing before procedures: If planning surgery, hold ginger and ginkgo for at least 2 weeks prior 2
• Inhaled corticosteroids: Can cause easy bruising as a side effect (47% vs 22% in non-users) 4

Implementation Strategy

1. Start with vitamin C supplementation (500-1000mg daily)
2. Add vitamin K (100-200mcg daily) if bruising persists
3. Consider adding bioflavonoids/rutin
4. Evaluate for possible vitamin deficiencies, especially if diet is restricted
5. Reassess after 4-6 weeks of supplementation

Easy bruising in women is particularly common and may require specialized testing if standard screening tests are abnormal or if there's a strong family history of bleeding disorders 5. In most cases, however, supplementation with the nutrients above can significantly improve capillary strength and reduce bruising.