Thalassemia Patients and Friends
Discussion Forums => Diet, Nutrition and Supplements => Topic started by: nice friend on August 02, 2008, 07:42:26 PM
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hi :
i dont know wat is this how it works does it work or not i dont know anything but i red in it that it is good for illness lrelated to digestive system and blood . so andy plz check it ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beets#Medicine
Medicine
The roots and leaves have medicinal uses.[2]
The Romans used beetroot as a treatment for fevers and constipation, amongst other ailments. Apicius in De re coquinaria gives five recipes for soups to be given as a laxative, three of which feature the root of beet.[5] Hippocrates advocated the use of beet leaves as binding for wounds.
Since Roman times, beetroot juice has been considered an aphrodisiac. It is a rich source of the mineral boron, which plays an important role in the production of human sex hormones. Field Marshal Montgomery is reputed to have exhorted his troops to 'take favours in the beetroot fields', a euphemism for visiting prostitutes.[6]. From the Middle Ages, beetroot was used as a treatment for a variety of conditions, especially illnesses relating to digestion and the blood. Platina recommended taking beetroot with garlic to nullify the effects of 'garlic-breath'.[7]
Today the beetroot is still championed as a universal panacea. One of the most controversial examples is the official position of the South African Health Minister on the treatment of AIDS. Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, Health Minister under Thabo Mbeki, has been nicknamed 'Dr. Beetroot' for promoting beets and other vegetables over antiretroviral AIDS medicines, which she considers toxic.[8]
Research published in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension on the 4th February 2008 and showed drinking 500mls of beetroot juice a day can help reduce blood pressure levels. Researchers saw a reduction in blood pressure in volunteers after just 1 hour of drinking 500mls of beetroot juice. The reduction was more pronounced after 3 to 4 hours and up 'til 24 hours after drinking the juice
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Beets are a root crop with great nutritional value. They are also something my mom told a story about involving me and spitting beets back at her when I was a baby. :rotfl Apparently if they are fresh and cooked properly, they do taste good.
http://www.ezhealthydiet.com/beet-nutrition.html
Beets are delightful for their color and flavor as well as for their beet nutrition. Their juice is wonderful mixed with carrot juice and can also be used as a dye. Is there any more beautiful color than the rich fuchsia and red tones of the beet? In some countries the beet juice, betanin, is processed commercially for coloration in various products.
Marian Morash author of the Victory Garden Cookbook said this about beets, “Have you ever enjoyed the sweet pungent flavor of a baked fresh beet? Or experienced the subtle but earthy aftertaste and delicious crunch of raw beets grated into a salad? These are two of the lesser-known ways of preparing fresh beets, which don’t enjoy the popularity they deserve.”
Most people have experienced canned or pickled beets, but few people have had fresh beet experiences. Of course nutritionally fresh raw beets will always be superior to canned or even fresh cooked beets. Speaking of beet nutrition, here are some of the facts: they are high in folic acid (great for pregnant women), potassium, calcium and antioxidants (betacyanin, which is what gives beets their rich red color.).
Now the beets we are talking about so far are the beet roots, the portion that grows below the ground. However, leafy beet greens are also very nutritious and can be used for juicing, or cooking as you would any other green. In fact the beet tops are more nutritious than the roots. The greens contain significantly more iron, vitamin A, potassium and calcium than the roots.
Ok, here’s some more about beet nutrition. Beet juice is rich in natural sugar, sodium, sulphur, chlorine, iodine, copper and vitamin B1, B2, C and bioflavonoids. Some holistic practitioners believe that beet juice combined with other juices like carrot and cucumber are excellent for cleansing the kidneys and gallbladder and for restoring health to these organs. Additionally, beet, being a fibrous root, is excellent for aiding in and eliminating constipation. The fiber adds bulk to the diet and therefore helps to improve peristalsis activity in the large intestine.
One cup of beet greens has about 1 mg iron so it doesn't seem that it is anything to be avoided due to iron content, as a cup is a large amount.
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i126/comicsetc/Reference%20pics/beets.jpg)
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hi andy :
my question is that it has the benefits for thal ...does it help to increase hb or any other thing benfitial to thal ??.
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I highlighted its nutrients in bold. These are significant for thals but I won't say it increases Hb. Folic acid, calcium, potassium, vitamin A and antioxidant properties are all things beneficial to thals.
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oh ops.. sorry didn't understand last time :biggrin
thanx for clearing it .. thanx andy
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i think this thread should be moved to the board name " Diet, Nutrition and supplements " . i think, it is the best place for threads like these . wat do you say Andy ??...
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Hi Buddies ,
something i want to share uder this topic is here ..
A quote From : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beets#Red.2Fpurple_colouring
Red/purple colouring
The colour of red/purple beetroot is due to a variety of betalain pigments, unlike most other red plants, such as red cabbage, which contain anthocyanin pigments. The composition of different betalain pigments can vary, giving breeds of beetroot which are yellow or other colors in addition to the familiar deep red.[15] Some of the betalains in beets are betanin, isobetanin, probetanin, and neobetanin (the red to violet ones are known collectively as betacyanin).[bgcolor=#fff500] Other pigments contained in beet are indicaxanthin and vulgaxanthins (yellow to orange pigments known as betaxanthins). Indicaxanthin has been shown as a powerful protective antioxidant for thalassemia, as well as prevents the breakdown of alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E).[/bgcolor]
Betacyanin in beetroot may cause red urine in some people who are unable to break it down. This is called beeturia. [16]
The pigments are contained in cell vacuoles. Beetroot cells are quite unstable and will 'leak' when cut, heated, or when in contact with air or sunlight. This is why red beetroots leave a purple stain. Leaving the skin on when cooking, however, will maintain the integrity of the cells and therefore minimise leakage
Best Regards
Take Care
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quote from : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16984002
Cytoprotective effects of the antioxidant phytochemical indicaxanthin in beta-thalassemia red blood cells.
Tesoriere L, Allegra M, Butera D, Gentile C, Livrea MA.
Dipartimento Farmacochimico Tossicologico e Biologico, Università di Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo 90128, Italy. mal96@unipa.it
Antioxidant phytochemicals are investigated as novel treatments for supportive therapy in beta-thalassemia. The dietary indicaxanthin was assessed for its protective effects on human beta-thalassemic RBCs submitted in vitro to oxidative haemolysis by cumene hydroperoxide. Indicaxanthin at 1.0-10 microM enhanced the resistance to haemolysis dose-dependently. In addition, it prevented lipid and haemoglobin (Hb) oxidation, and retarded vitamin E and GSH depletion. After ex vivo spiking of blood from thalassemia patients with indicaxanthin, the phytochemical was recovered in the soluble cell compartment of the RBCs. A spectrophotometric study showed that indicaxanthin can reduce perferryl-Hb generated in solution from met-Hb and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), more effectively than either Trolox or vitamin C. Collectively our results demonstrate that indicaxanthin can be incorporated into the redox machinery of beta-thalassemic RBC and defend the cell from oxidation, possibly interfering with perferryl-Hb, a reactive intermediate in the hydroperoxide-dependent Hb degradation. Opportunities of therapeutic interest for beta-thalassemia may be considered.
PMID: 16984002 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Take Care
Umair
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Thank you for the info Umair. Good work.
Sharmin
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Thank you Sharmin Sis :)
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Andy ,
i want to ask that ; is beet root a rich iron food and should i have to avoid it .?? i red at many places that its rich in iron but on other hand i red that its good for thals bcoze it has strong anti-oxidant properties and many mineral in it .. soo wat is your say ?? please shed some light on it ..
Umair
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Umair,
I am sure that Andy will clarify but meat has heme iron which poses the greatest threat to thals, as well as "enriched" foods like certain breads and cereals. Fruits and vegetables, even those considered high in iron do not pose the same risk as the iron they contain is less likely to be absorbed. The benefits that beets and other fruits and veges far outweigh the small amount of iron you are likely to absorb from them. Be sure to get a good assortment of fruits and veges - it is good for your thalassemia and if they can be good for your diabetes too. Eating every 2 hours - which includes having fruits or veges between meals will keep your blood sugar balanced and provide you with antioxidants necessary in combating harm from iron.
Sharmin
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100 grams of boiled beets contains less than 1 mg iron. It's not a significant amount. Now eat your beets! :food
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Andy & Sharmin ,
Thanx Buddies , now i got it , n i will contineu to have 100mg of boiled beets in my diet between the meals .... thank you for repies . :ty
Take Care
Umair
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Umair,
Make sure you have apples and pears too - they are also good for thals and daibetics alike:) Natural foods fight inflammation (also if you are eating natural foods you are less likely to be eating foods that cause inflammation) which will protect you from the negative effects of thal and diabetes. I have been meaning to break down an article that I have posted on all of this for a while - that will be my project for the new year:)
Sharmin
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Hi Sis ,
Thanx for your concerns , you're soo caring .. yeah , i m keep searching for the food veges or fruits those are good for thals , n i will keep sharing all that i will find ... i believe's in natural suplements like ftuit and veges , you mention abou t apples and pear , its a good addition in my list ... Guava , Beetroot , Tea , Green Tea , Olive , Orange etc...etc.... soo , thanx for a super advice :ty ....
i m eagerly waiting for your project , bcoze i know that would be a great informative project .... soo m waiting for that. ...
Take Care
Umair
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I love beets.
Now I do have one observation, which some may agree or disagree. I often hear about vegetables or fruits that may help in raising the hemoglobin in thalassemia major. Now please remember I am only talking about the hemoglobin inducer vegetables and fruits, the effects of vegetables and fruits, overall, in balancing the diet and other capabilities (such as helping the diabetes etc.) to help the overall health of thals is proven, and we are not discussing that effect. However, the vegetables and fruits as hg inducer, I am a little pessimistic.
I see thal major as a defect in a car engine that is missing two pistons, whereas it needs four pistons (if it is a four stroke car), no matter how much oil you put and ignite the self, the engine will not run to produce power, simply because it is missing the two pistons. My friends or relatives tell me a lot of "Home made remedies" to induce hg, which may have temporary effect (I don't know) or may have an effect in raising fetal hg to little extent, I remain pessimistic. I know two pistons are missing.
Not sure if I am on the right track in thinking or just a little pessimistic.
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Umair
I admire so much your presistance in being healthier and i am sure you are. you are an inspiration umair
Canadian family
Not sure if I am on the right track in thinking or just a little pessimistic.
I can understand your point very well, it is like a damaged machine, whatever you do it will always give a bad quality product, neverthe less trying these natural remedies is not a bad idea as long as it is in the safe side. We talked a lot about the resveratrol and how it is proven to induce the fetal HB, the effect of the fermented papaya as a strong antioxidant, the carao, ... and there could be other things that we know nothing about yet so trying with limits is not really a bad idea
manal
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These are significant for thals but I won't say it increases Hb. Folic acid, calcium, potassium, vitamin A and antioxidant properties are all things beneficial to thals.
Oops, I got my answer from Andy's response. But coming back to my question, any response.
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Canadian Family,
I think that the effects of diet and supplements on hg itself may be very small and subtle for transfusing thal majors. Their positive effects may be in helping transfused blood last longer and in helping with the oxygen carrying capacity (not sure ???).
Also, the positive effects can be helpful for people in using the hg they have more effectively - for example watermelon (& L-carnitine) and other nitric oxide inducers can help the body better adapt to changing hg levels by allowing the arteries to deal with the changes in blood volume.
Another factor is that the effects of these things can be individual as well. While the nutrients will benefit everyone - the effect on hg may be different for different people. Even hg inducers like hydroxyurea have different levels of effectiveness in different people for unknown reasons.
I think that small and incremental benefits can have a lot of value for thal intermedias and maybe some benefits for thal majors as well. After all the key difference between thal majors and some intermedias (in my understanding) is the ability to make fetal hg - therefore anything that would increase fetal hg should benefit thalassemia. I don't know if the fact that the marrow is suppressed in thal majors prevents fetal hg production (which is why some doctors question the use of folic acid in thal majors).
Andy, do you agree with this?
Sharmin
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Canadian Family,
In your example, only 2 pistons are firing. But, with proper maintenance, you can keep those 2 pistons working at an optimum. This is the same thing with thalassemia. It is very important to optimize what one does have, regardless of what else they are missing. Most thal majors do produce some hemoglobin but not enough to survive and many "majors" could actually be classified intermedia because even without transfusions, they can maintain a hemoglobin level of 6 or higher. Maximizing this potential is one goal by providing the body with the essential nutrients to build good red blood cells that will have a longer life. B vitamins, vitamins C and E, and magnesium are all important to the health of red blood cells. Also, we want to create an environment that will help the transfused red cells to last a bit longer. In addition, we want to build a stronger circulatory system that will not deteriorate as the patient ages. Nitric oxide plays a key role here, and is why L-carnitine is recommended (only available by prescription in Canada, thanks to the big brother mentality that persists within the health authority. Unfortunately for thals. L carnitine is widely used by body builders, leading to confused bureaucrats treating it the same way they treat steroids, even though there is no connection). Hemoxide, which was mentioned again recently is also of interest as a nitric oxide producer and may have value in combating blood pressure in general in addition to the helping to prevent the pulmonary hypertension prevalent in thal intermedia and also commonly found in majors and I suspect, minors also. (Dr John Wood seemed very intrigued by this latter possibility when I mentioned it in Singapore). These are some examples on how the circulatory system is improved by supplements, even though there may be no change in Hb levels. Helping the body to optimize what it can do, can make a big quality of life difference for thals and extend their lives. Even though some pistons aren't working, we should have a goal of maximizing the potential of those pistons that do, and providing the constant maintenance to keep the 2 good pistons in good working order.
When I see the success Sharmin has had by using supplements and the strong endorsement by Dr Vichinsky of supplements, and the good condition of Manal's son, in spite of low Hb, I can have no doubt about the value of supplements and what they can do to improve the health and quality of life of thals. While these methods and the good nutrition found in natural foods may have only a minimal effect on Hb levels, they do provide what is needed to counter the losses due to the stresses of thalassemia and also provide the nutrients necessary to optimize the health. Just as a non-thal can benefit from a healthy nutritious diet, so can thals and in my view, because the deck is stacked against thalassemics, they more than non-thals need to do everything possible to optimize their health.
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@ Manal ,
Thank you sis for encouragment ... it means alot for me to keep trying my best to stay in fight ...
@ all buddies ,
Thanx for your informative replies , thats wat i want's (whenever i start's thread like this one ) to have a discussion and debate that raise the points pros and consof anything. ... i dnt want to believe on anything witout having a debate on that , bcoze if you are going to start anyting debate assure's you that you are doing right ...
thank you all for your response ...
umair
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This forum is great.
Thank you Andy, Sharmin and Manal. I agree with your points, but its the debate like Umair has said, which is the key to the knowledge.
I feel so energized just by visiting this forum.
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You are welcome Canadian family, any news about your visit to the bone clinic????
manal
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OK, I still wonder what L-carnitine is in Dutch. Does someone have an idea?
Last time when I was in The Body Shop I found out how we call wheat grass. I forgot the Dutch name, because I didn't write it down :biggrin. They use it in shampoo.
Tomorrow I will be able to buy the supplements that Andy suggest in the pk def. topic. :) I haven't been out of the house on my own for three weeks. Because I am still ill and the low hgb. We think I got Sinusitis (Dutch name is less scary). I got a headache all the time and it get more worse when i must stoop.. To get to the point: I am a bit sceptical like CF. I want to believe in supplements, but that food can help to keep your hgb up; I don't know.
I dont believe in anti-oxidants.