Discussion Forums > Diet, Nutrition and Supplements
Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation in Thalassemia
Andy Battaglia:
The amount of vitamin C in the multivitamin is low and does not need to be avoided.
patel.1005:
Hi Andy,
I know you have said over and over that Folic acid should be taken by all thals, regardless of whether they are minor, intermediate, or major. Can you explain how the folic acid helps? I know that folic acid is an essential component in RBC production, but in cases of thal major where any RBC produced is going to have nonfunctional Hb, what is the point? I mean your just going to have more nonfunctional Hb floating around right? I had previously read about folic acid here and asked my doctor about it and have started taking it, however, he seemed to be of the opinion that it wouldn't really help (for the reason above), but it wouldn't really hurt either. I guess I'm just curious about how it helps. I read that thals should take it here on an few other places, but can't really find an answer to why. And on that same line of questioning folic acid is said to be beneficial in hemochromatosis. Can you explain how? If you've explained this in a different post or link, if you could just point me in the right direction, I'd be greatful.
Thanks!!!
Archana
Andy Battaglia:
Archana,
It is advised because ineffective erythropoiesis causes folate deficiency. Unless your Hb is kept very high, >14, you will have ineffective erythropoiesis, which depletes many nutrients.
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2013/394295/
--- Quote ---4.7.4. Masked Deficit of Folic Acid in Thalassemia
Folic acid deficiency has been reported in both thalassemia major and minor [122–124], as a consequence of increased folate use caused by increased erythropoiesis. It can lead to overestimation of RBC deficiency. Daily folate supplementation is currently advised for patients with hemoglobinopathy [124].
--- End quote ---
ivancro:
Andy , can you please comment on this link regarding my (thal beta minor) folic acid supplementation!
Folic acid supplements are thought to be taken by more than 230,000 pregnant UK women each year as it can help prevent spina bifida and other birth defects affecting the brain and spine.
But one study examined by Dr Byers’ team found too much increased the chances of getting cancer by 56% !!!
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/science/many-vitamins-can-give-you-5556383
Andy Battaglia:
All I can say about these "studies" is that they are not studies. They pick and choose data from other studies and are able to show any results they want. They are agenda driven and the agenda has nothing to do with health and everything to do with convincing the population that trying to be healthy is a negative, because healthy people are bad for business. The so-called trial of vitamin E mentioned in the article was one of the biggest piece's of garbage I have ever seen. It was not a study or a trial, but rather picked studies of only people who had mortal illnesses and then tried to tie the death rate to vitamin E, even though everyone in the studies was already dying. The only thing proven by their stats was that very ill people are more likely to try various supplements to try to save themselves. Perhaps if they had followed a good health program all along, they may not have had mortal illnesses, but
once one is already dying, it's seldom that can be reversed. Most official trials of vitamin E have also used the synthetic form of E, which is an industrial by-product and will never be recommended by me. Since these articles don't actually show their meta analysis, I can't talk about specifics, but I have found very very few honest meta analyses being done. Keep in mind though, that folic acid is water soluble and does not stay in the body for long.
On top of that, thalassemics are not the general public and have a higher need for many nutrients due to depletion of these nutrients.
Personally, you will have to kill me to get me to stop using supplements. I've taken natural vitamin E for 40 years and B Complex containing folic acid for 30 years. I can barely function without vitamin D. The only health issues I have are a hereditary thyroid condition and asthma since birth and both are well controlled. Since I got my D level above low normal, I was even able to stop all my asthma meds. Since my D level has been in the normal range. I am seldom sick, having had only two mild colds in the past three years. My only health issues are physical problems mostly related to endless hours at the computer. I believe in using natural supplements and following a healthy diet because 40 years of doing so have been ample proof to me of their value.
I think these doctors would have much more useful lives if they would do some meta analyses on the dangerous and overpriced pharmaceuticals that they prescribe like candy which kill thousands of people every year.
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