There are many different foods that help to improve circulation and red blood cell production. But for those of us that arent so adventurous here are a few foods that you probably use everyday, and have so many positive benefits for sickle cell patients. Try to incorporate at least 2 of these in every meal you eat, and seriously avoid fatty foods I cannot stress that enough! 1. Green, leafy vegetables like Kale, Spinach, Bok Choy, Turnip Greens and pretty much every vegetable with a leaf. They are high in folate aka folic acid. This aids in improving appetite, cell production, growth and red blood cell formation.
2. Beets: Beets are high in iron, help build the blood and oxygenate the body. Beets have an added advantage of detoxify-ing the kidneys, liver and bladder which we need since we are on so many other harsh meds.
3. Brown Rice: If you must eat rice regularly (like I do), then switch to brown rice. This is one of the most energetically balanced food. It strengthens the lungs and the spleen.
4. Garlic: When my mom used to make me eat garlic everyday, I hated it with a passion, but I never feel sick with colds and the flu. Garlic is a great immune system builder, relieves cramps and helps to expel cold and dampness from your body by increasing your inner body temperature. How awesome is that?
5. More Veggies: I cannot stress the importance of vegetables. Diets high in meats and fatty foods tend to make sickle cell patients go into crises more. Try to eliminate meat from your diet completely, and if not, then try to limit your meat intake to small amounts a couple of times a week. Instead, bulk up on veggies like cabbage, mustard greens, onions, radishes. Also throw in kidney beans, lentils, sorghum, millet and you have yourself a balanced diet.
6. Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne is another great detoxifier. It strengthens your immune system, disperses congestion, clears your sinuses, expels cold and helps to calm abdominal pains (by dilating the veins/arteries in the abdomen, increasing circulation, thereby increasing oxygenation). I love me some cayenne pepper I can sprinkle it on almost everything.
7. Root vegetables: Root veggies like carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, yucca root, African yam, cassava and anything from that family are known to inhibit sickling and helps to increase red blood cell production. You can bake, steam, juice or broil them. As long as you dont fry them you are doing good.
VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS FOR CHILDREN WITH SICKLE CELL
Photo Credit Blood cells image by patrimonio designs from Fotolia.comChildren with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that are deformed into a sickle shape. These cells are in charge of carrying oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and organs. In children with sickle cell disease, the deformed red blood cells are fragile, break up easily, and are not able to deliver oxygen efficiently. There are several nutritional supplements and vitamins that can help children with sickle cell remain as healthy as possible.
FOLIC ACID
Folic acid is a member of the vitamin B group. According to the National Institutes of Health's' Office of Dietary Supplements, folic acid is important in the production of DNA and RNA, the building blocks of all cells. This is particularly important in children with sickle cell disease, who try to produce red blood cells to keep up with their destruction. Folic acid is important to prevent anemia, or a serious decease in the numbers of red blood cells, in children with sickle cell.
VITAMIN B-12
Vitamin B-12, also known as cobalamin, is another member of the B vitamin complex. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, vitamin B-12 works with folic acid in the formation of red blood cells, making it an important nutrient for children with sickle cell disease, who can have anemia due to red blood cell breakdown. According to the New York Times Health Guide, the recommended daily dose of vitamin B-12 for patients with sickle cell anemia is 6 micrograms.
VITAMIN B-6
Vitamin B-6, another B vitamin, is also known as pyridoxine. Vitamin B-6 is necessary to make hemoglobin, which is the protein that helps carry oxygen inside the red blood cells, and the protein that is abnormal in children with sickle cell disease. Vitamin B-6 deficiency can result in a form of anemia. According to the New York Times Health Guide, vitamin B-6 can have anti-sickling properties in patients with sickle cell disease. This means that vitamin B-6 may help prevent the red blood cells from changing into the sickle shape that makes them fragile.
ZINC
Zinc is an important mineral for the health of many of the body's tissues and systems, including the immune system, and the blood's clotting mechanisms. Children with sickle cell disease can be deficient in zinc. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, zinc has been found to reduce the frequency of symptoms of sickle cell disease in children, and helps in their growth and weight gain