nutrition help

[YellowTail]

My red blood cells are getting low and I typically have low iron anyways, my onc told me not to take the iron pills as the chemo will simply wipe it away, any suggestions on foods to help. Thanks

[ElaineM]

Perhaps you can talk to a nutritionist or dietician and get some suggestions about what to eat.
Iron pills can cause consitipation. Liquid iron usually does not cause constipation. There is a liquid product available at some health food stores called Floradix. You can do an online search to get a list of the natural ingredients.
Dried fruits (raisins, apricots, prunes etc.), although they have a fair amount of sugar also have iron. Natural 100% blackstrap molasses has alot of sugar, but it has iron and calcium. Blackberries have iron. I get frozen blackberries when they are not in season and put them in smoothies or eat them with yoghurt. Lentils have alot of iron. Other beans have iron. Dark leafy vegetables like spinach have iron. Sea vegetables have some iron. If you are a meat eater you may want to have some liver, which has alot of iron.
Our dietician, Tanya or some of the other members might also have some suggestions. Happy Eating !!
P. S. I never experienced a dangerous reduction in iron or my white blood counts by going the natural route and learning what to eat to keep my blood counts healthy during various treatments. I never needed procriat, or the shots for white blood counts. I never needed a transfusion because of low blood counts.
Good luck !!

[Mtngrl]

The big issue with dietary iron, especially from plant sources, is absorption. I think it helps if you have Vitamin C with it. Cooking in iron pots, especially acidic foods (like tomatoes), can increase iron in foods. Egg yolks have iron--so fry up a couple of eggs in an iron skillet and wash it down with some orange juice.

When I was on chemo I figured the best way to let my body know I needed more red blood cells was to get a little out of breath, so I walked a half hour to an hour a day, and included some stairs and hills. I don't know if that is sound reasoning, but I do enjoy walking. It lifts my mood.

Here's a fact sheet on iron: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/iron

[ElaineM]

Thanks for reminding me about the iron skillet. If we have a couple eggs cooked in an iron skillet with a glass of orange juice, and a piece of whole grain bread for breakfast that might be good.
I heard that cooked tomatoes have more nutrition than fresh tomatoes. I guess cooking brings out the nutrition in some things.

[R.B.]

Mtngrl thanks for that very useful link - me thinks you may be better informed than you are letting on - whereas I just google (-:.

Iron absorption from vegetable sources - Tea (tannins) and phytates found in grains are reported to block absorption of iron. Phytates may block the absorption of a number of minerals. Vitamin C sources are repeated to increase absorption - eg lemon juice in tea and on spinach. Fermentation and sprouting reduces phytates - a subject on its own. Iron is more easily absorbed from meat and fish. Many people in the USA are deficient in one or more minerals

http://www.veetea.com/site/articles/Tea-and-Iron

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2507689

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8829129?dopt=Abstract

http://sickle.bwh.harvard.edu/iron_absorption.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2820048

http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/iron.htm#heme

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8829129

[Mtngrl]

I'm a big fan of the "fermentation improves mineral absorption" notion. I make my own whole grain bread using only sourdough for leavening. It takes a long time to rise. Not only does that produce a very tasty bread with excellent keeping qualities, but also it may be more nutritious. One more thing about sourdough/whole grain bread is it has a lower glycemic index than "regular" bread.

[sdstarfish]

Jut wanted to add that astragalus is good for red blood cell production in the bone marrow, as well as helping to restore the immune system in general.

Lisa
www.pinkkitchen.info (http://her2support.org/vbulletin/www.pinkkitchen.info)

[ElaineM]

Interesting. I didn't know that about asparagus.
Thanks.

[sdstarfish]

Hi, Elaine:
Not asparagus - astragalus. :)
Lisa

www.pinkkitchen.info (http://her2support.org/vbulletin/www.pinkkitchen.info)

[YellowTail]

Hello Ladies and thanks for all of your responses, very helpful. My red blood cells are all good now and my iron is back on track. :) Happy and full of energy!

[TanyaRD]

Yellowtail,
Glad to hear you are doing well!

[Jackie07]

Not quite sure if this belongs here - could we view diet and nutrition as part of the 'complementary therapies'? The Chinese have a saying: "Supplementing with medicine is not as good as supplementing with food."

http://www.cancercarestore.com/the-complete-guide-to-complementary-therapies-in-cancer-care-essential-information-for-patients-survivors-and-health-professionals/

Dr. Barrie Cassileth from MSKCC will be in a Live Web Chat at Cancerconnect.com November 17th, 6 pm EST.

[Dr. Barrie Cassileth, Chief of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s Integrative Medicine Service, will discuss and field questions on a variety of complementary cancer therapies including the use of herbs, dietary supplements and acupuncture. Dr. Cassileth’s presentation will be in a Live Web Chat on CancerConnect. Visit http://cancerconnect.com/dr-cassileth-webchat/ to register or submit a question.]