I take xarelto. It supposedly doesn't interact with any type of food, but I worry about the blood thinning effects of some foods like garlic, which I think would really help my blood pressure. One burning question in my mind is, if these foods thin the blood naturally, why are they not the first line of defense instead of blood thinning medication. My whole life I have used natural remedies for different things. But this time, I told myself that this is not a cold, or a pulled muscle. This is my heart. It terrified me and I am afraid to make a mistake by using non FDA approved methods to prevent blood clots cause by my afib. So I follow my doctor's orders and take my meds. Any ideas on this?