SICKLE CELL AND DIET

Sickle cell anemia in lame man's term is a condition where the red blood cells are sickle shaped and tend to carry little oxygen round the body. Sickle cell patients usually get tired and unable to carry out certain strenuous works effectively. It is a hereditary disease that is passed from parents to offspring but is not contagious. 

NUTRITIONAL CONSIDERATION

• High calorie, nutrient based diet
• Adequate fluid consumption to maintain hydration
• Micro nutrients (Vitamin A, B, C, E, Magnesium, Zinc, carotenoids) reduces the percentage of irreversibly sickled cells
• Omega-3 fatty acid supplements: Increases the fluidity of RBC membranes which may prevent sickle cell crisis

Good nutrition can help safeguard healthy growth in children with sickle cell disease and may reduce the risk of complications in both children and adults. The thing about sickle cell is that sometimes one can get very tired and it will be the good food that one had eaten that would help fight the tiredness or sickness and this even happens to everyone.

• liver
• turkey
• pork, lamb, chicken, red lean, meat, egg yolk
• raisins
• plenty of green veggies
• dates
• fish, shrimps, beans
• orange, carrot, apples, cherries, grapes and diary products (milk, cheese)