Thalassemia Patients and Friends
Discussion Forums => Thalassemia Intermedia => Topic started by: Lokkhi maa on April 08, 2015, 08:42:05 AM
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Dear all,
I found every link about thalassemia diet is to avoid the watermelon.But Nutritive Value per 100 g, of watermelon contains only Vitamin C 8.1 mg and Iron 0.24 mg. and the others are below.
Nutrition Value per 100 g
Guava Vitamin C 228 mg Iron 0.26 mg
Mango Vitamin C 27.7 mg Iron 0.13 mg
Pineapple Vitamin C 47.8 mg Iron 0.29 mg
Lychee Vitamin C 71.5 mg Iron 0.31 mg
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com
The above fruits vitamin c are more high than watermelon.But only watermelon is everywhere to avoid for the thal patient for iron.I got really confused.I always mix milk with my child food to absorb lower iron and sometimes give her green tea also (small quantity). How can I reduce vitamin C absorption.My baby is now 18 months 10 days , taken already 9 transfusions and need after every 7 weeks,weight 13 kg.
presently I am giving her small quantity of apple and grapes juice.
Please advice.
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Lokkhi maa
Hold on i recoment to eat everything other than liver and wild animals, because iron content in these two things isway more than than others. Do not fear iron in food it is very very less as compared to what we get from blood transfusion. Do not deprive of nutritious food. If you are hugely concerned about iron in food then just add some ip6 in it everytime and it will remove absorbable iron and convert it in inabsorbable.
Regarding wheatgrass some peoples have very very good response but most doesn't.
Jay.
Writing this from mobile device with spelling mistakes.
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Do not fear iron in food it is very very less as compared to what we get from blood transfusion.
Yeah its true. Thanks Jay for your nice reply..
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Watermelon is a very nutritious food that helps fix nitric oxide in the body. It should be eaten, not avoided.
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Hello Andy,
Thanks i will give watermelon to my baby.But why everywhere it is recommended to avoid for thalassemia patients ? May be you also find the information.If it is not harmful then information need should be change or update in every where...
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Lokkhi,
This is directly from the standards of care for thalassemia.
For transfused patients on chelation therapy, a low-iron diet is
unnecessary and may decrease the quality of life for some patients.
The amount of iron obtained from just one unit of packed red
cells (200 mg) far outweighs the amount of iron obtained from a
3-ounce steak (5 mg).
There are no fruits or vegetables that should be avoided by transfusing patients. Foods rich in vitamin C should not be eaten at the same time as foods rich in iron, but they can still be eaten as snacks or with low iron meals. Please do not avoid the necessary nutrition that your child needs.
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Its great.Thanks a lot Andy.I will follow your advice.
Thanks
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Hello Andy,
I found that Almond is rich of calcium,magnesium and Vit E.So I interested to give it my baby.If I cook it with her meal then the nutrition will be same or not?
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Almonds are a very nutritious food, as are nuts in general. Nutritious foods should be eaten by all.
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Thanks Andy.
If I cook it with her meal then the nutrition will be same or not?
Please advice.
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Cooked nuts are very nutritious. Nuts contain a lot of protein and minerals and this isn't affected by cooking.
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Thanks Andy.
Its great :yahoo
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Andy Sir
Raw Almond also contains high amount of phytic acid which inhibits iron absorption from food. Is phytic acid present in almond works to inhibit iron absorption ?
Again Almond is a high iron food. The iron present in it is non heme iron which absorb at slower rate. But for less transfusing thals iron absorb at higher rate at low Hb level.
Should they eat it or avoid it ?
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Abyaya,
Thals should eat a healthy nutricious food. We don't worry about the iron content in most food - especially plant based food because they contain non-heme iron which is not as readily absorbed.
Transfusing thals should generally eat all food because they're hemoglobins are usually above 95 (they should be maintained at those levels) therefore they are not absorbing too much in the gut. I wouldn't advise steak every night etc because meat contains heme iron which is more readily absorbed. But they don't need to avoid any food altogether.
Non-transfusing thals who have low hemoglobin levels should eat all plant foods but should limit high iron meats as their low hemoglobin levels may cause then to absorb more iron in the gut which can be problematic.
What all thals should be weary of is iron-fortfied food - as the iron content can be quite high.
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Hallo Sharmin
Thank you very much for the post. I am new on this forum. I read lot of posts from you which are very useful.
I eat only chicken in less amount 1-2 times in month. Among red meat only mutton 1-2 times in year and mutton is expensive also. I eat lot green leafy vegetables,fishes and eggs. I don't avoid plant based high iron foods but eat these moderately.
I want to know one thing. There are lot of discussion about phytic acid. Raw Almond are also high in phytic acid.
Is the phytic acid present in almond works or not ?
What's your opinion in this matter ?
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Foods with phytic acid can block iron absorption and chelate iron, so they are recommended for thals.
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Thank you so much sir.
I get very useful information and advice here. I'll not get these in other places .
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Hello Andy,
Is coffee helpful for thal patients?If helpful then how it will take with milk or without?
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Coffee is fine for thals. Tea is better. Take it how you like it, with or without milk.
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Thanks Andy... :smiley
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Hello Andy,
My baby is now 3 yrs old and everyday evening she taking mix fruits juice of apple,banana and carrot.
After that she take Asunra. How much helpful fruit juice for thal patience?
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Fruit is excellent for thals, as fruits contain many essential nutrients and antioxidants. Fruit juice that is 100% juice is good, but avoid anything that is not 100% pure juice.
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Thanks Andy :)
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Hello Andy,
Taking everyday Apple banana will increase iron overload as these fruits contains vitamin C also.
Sometimes I mix milk with banana.
Apple and carrot giving her as a fruits juice with water at evening when she take asunra.
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The iron in veg foods has a very low absorption rate, and for transfusing patients, it really doesn't matter. Foods might have a few mg of iron, while a unit of blood has 200-250 mg of iron. Please do not avoid nutritious foods, as the other nutrients are greatly needed, even the vitamin C is essential.
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Thanks Andy :smiley