Found frequently in populations with African or Mediterranean ancestry, sickle cell anemia is a hereditary disease in which the body makes sickle-shaped rather than regular, disc-shaped red blood cells. These abnormal red blood cells carry less oxygen and impede regular blood flow. A type of severe pain episode called sickle cell crisis can arise -- along with other serious, even potentially fatal complications. However, you often can minimize and manage sickle cell symptoms through professional treatment and self-care including daily attention to your disease's nutritional demands. Consult a doctor before starting a diet plan.
Fluids
Staying hydrated can boost your chances of avoiding sickle cell crisis. The Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University recommends that you carry a water bottle everywhere. Refill it and drink from it throughout your day. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can dry you out. Aim for drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily. For variety, you can hydrate yourself with soup, milk, juice, fruit, popsicles and athletic drinks as well as water. Increase your fluid intake in stressful situations like hot weather, exercise and flying.
Nutrient-Rich Calories
Sickle cell anemia can cause poor appetite and a need for a high intake of calories, which stems from malabsorption of nutrients from the gut and heightened metabolism. Ask your physician or nutritionist how many calories you need to achieve or maintain the healthiest possible weight. Supplemental artificial nutrition can help some patients with this goal. Regardless of how many calories you need, they should be rich in nutrients and not “empty.” You can learn more about good nutrition from general websites like ChooseMyPlate.gov or disease-specific support groups like Sickle Cell Warriors.
Protein Intake
People with sickle cell anemia tend to break down lean muscle mass more than people without the disease. This tendency to muscle wasting means that you will probably need to take in higher amounts of protein than you would without sickle cell. Again, ask your physician or nutritionist about your personal protein requirements. If you are a vegan or vegetarian with sickle cell anemia, foods other than animal flesh -- including beans -- can supply you with enough high-quality protein and other necessary nutrients, according to NutritionMD.com.
Supplements
Many people with sickle cell anemia may benefit from certain vitamin and mineral supplements, including omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, folate, riboflavin and vitamins A, B6, B12, C and D. Sometimes, Vitamin K is recommended before surgery to prevent prolonged bleeding. However, always clear any vitamin, mineral, herbal or other supplement with your doctor first. For example, iron supplementation might harm some people with sickle cell anemia, as it could lead to or worsen iron overload, an excess in blood iron levels that can cause serious tissue damage, especially if you have had blood transfusions or artificial nutrition that contains iron.
References
- "Chicago Defender Online"; Sickle Cell Disease -- How to Prevent Sickle Crisis; Dave Montgomery; September 2010
- Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt: Hydration Fact Sheet
- “Nutrition and Diagnosis-Related Care”; Sylvia Escott-Stump; 2008
- NutritionMD.org: Sickle Cell Disease
- “Nutrition and Metabolism Insights”: The Role of Nutrition in Sickle Cell Disease; H.I. Hyacinth, et al.; January 2010
- PubMed Health: Sickle Cell Anemia
- Sickle Cell Warriors: A Community of Those Living, Loving and Surviving Sickle Cell Disease
