Aplastic Anemia Diet Plan

Newtrist Nutritionist Aplastic Anemia diet plan consists of iron-rich foods such as dark leafy greens, peas, lentils, beans, whole grains, dry fruits, soy foods, iron-fortified cereals, lean meats such as chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, red meats, organ meats, liver, and pasteurized dairy products.

• Early morning drink @ 6:30 am: Overnight soaked figs with peeled almonds
• Breakfast @ 9 am: Brown bread chicken sandwich with 1 small guava
• Mid-morning meal @ 11 am: Healthy fruit salad (orange, kiwi, grapes, and strawberries)
• Lunch @ 1 pm: Steamed rice with rajma curry and fish fry (shallow-fried)
• Evening snack @ 4 pm: Soaked poha with jaggery, raisins, and grated coconut
• Dinner @ 7 pm: Spinach uthappam with mint/tomato chutney

What is Aplastic Anemia?

Aplastic anemia is a rare autoimmune condition that develops due to damage to bone marrow and an insufficient supply of red blood cells. This disease occurs mostly after the age of 60. Toxic chemicals, pollutants, exposure to radiation, and chemotherapy may be some of the causes of aplastic anemia.

People with aplastic anemia are at risk of developing paroxysmal hemoglobinuria syndrome (PHS), a failure of the bone marrow disorder which is characterized by the rapid breakdown of the red blood cells.  

Destruction of stem cells affects the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow. Stem cells are sponge-like tissues within the bone marrow that are responsible for the synthesis of red blood cells. The stem cells in the bone marrow are attacked by the body’s immune system which affects the bone marrow and leads to reduced or nil production of red blood cells. Aplastic anemia may increase the risk of leukemia, prolonged clotting time, and other blood-related conditions.

What are the symptoms of Aplastic Anemia?

The symptoms of Aplastic anemia are

• Tiredness
• Shortness of breath
• Easily susceptible to infections
• Bleeding in the nose and gums
• Delayed clotting time
• Paleness of the skin and face
• Irregular heartbeat
• Weakness
• Headache
• Fever
• Easy bruising of the skin.

The symptoms may be mild to moderate depending upon the severity of the disease. The symptoms vary from person to person and are an indication to seek the help of a health care professional for medical advice.

Radiation treatments and chemotherapies destroy even the stem cells in addition to cancer cells which may be the major cause of Aplastic anemia. Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis can cause aplastic anemia. Viral infections, autoimmune disorders, and exposure to toxins and pollutants may increase the prevalence of aplastic anemia.

Aplastic Anemia Diet Plan

Aplastic anemia diet plan consists of iron-rich foods such as spinach and dark green leafy vegetables, foods rich in vitamins B12, C, and Folic acid. Vitamin C is very crucial for the absorption of iron in the body. Ensure your meal contains rich sources of vitamin C such as citrus fruits, leafy greens, and fresh vegetables.

A balanced diet enriched with vitamins and minerals helps to manage the severity of the symptoms. Organically grown fruits, vegetables, and grass-fed meats help you to lead a pesticide-free life and improve the symptoms of Aplastic anemia.

• Early morning drink @ 6:30 am: Wheat grass powder in warm water
• Breakfast @ 9 am: Avocado toast with tofu scramble
• Mid-morning meal @ 11 am: Unsweetened pomegranate juice with 4-5 dates
• Lunch @ 1 pm: Rice with turkey curry and liver stir-fry
• Evening snack @ 4 pm: Boiled eggs/Healthy trail mix
• Dinner @ 7 pm: Multigrain roti with chickpea-potato curry

Foods to Avoid with Aplastic Anemia

Foods to avoid with Aplastic Anemia include

• Refined foods
• Unpasteurized dairy products
• Undercooked/raw meats
• Caffeinated drinks
• Sugary beverages
• Peanuts
• Green tea
• Chocolates
• Bakery products
• Sodas

These foods deteriorate overall health and block the absorption of iron from the foods. wash all the fruits and vegetables well with a solution of vinegar and water to remove the pesticides and fertilizers used to grow them. Avoid foods high in vitamin K such as green tea which can worsen the condition.

Best vegetables for Aplastic Anemia

The best vegetables for Aplastic Anemia are

• Spinach
• Moringa leaves
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Beetroots
• Sweet potatoes
• Peas
• Pumpkins
• Bell peppers
• Green beans
• Tomatoes

A healthy diet emphasizes fiber-rich foods, proteins, vitamins, and minerals before and after treatment to manage the side effects and fight treatment-related fatigue. A balanced meal helps in the synthesis of new red blood cells in the bone marrow. A variety of colored vegetables provides you with the necessary nutrients to fight the symptoms of Aplastic anemia.

Best fruits for Aplastic Anemia

The best fruits for Aplastic Anemia are

• Pomegranates
• Bananas
• Figs
• Dates
• raisins
• Custard apples
• Amlas
• Jackfruit
• Pineapples
• Lemons
• Avocados
• Strawberries
• Watermelons

Pomegranates are rich sources of iron, vitamins A, C, and E, and folic acid which increases the iron levels and the production of red blood cells in the body. Figs are good sources of iron, vitamin A, magnesium, and folate. Consistent consumption of bananas helps in the generation of healthy red blood cells and improves hemoglobin levels.

Dates are excellent sources of iron, fiber, calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin A, and folate which provide numerous benefits. Lycopene and beta-carotene are the two main components of watermelon that promote iron absorption in the body. Raisins contain double the amount of iron when compared to grapes. Moreover, raisins contain carbohydrates, potassium, B vitamins, and antioxidants that contribute to the formation of new blood cells.

Tips for Aplastic Anemia

Below are some of the tips for Aplastic anemia

• Choose wisely over your food choices so that all the nutritional requirements are met.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Assess your BMI and BMR with the help of our BMI and BMR calculators to check your appropriate weight.
• Focus on a vitamin and mineral-rich diet
• Include foods from animal origin for good quality iron sources a couple of times a week
• Drink ample amounts of water to keep yourself hydrated and flush out the toxins from the body. 8-10 glasses of water should be consumed daily.
• Ensure the grains and legumes you consume are mostly unprocessed and unrefined to reap maximum benefits
• Stay away from processed foods, refined foods, starchy foods, preserved foods with loads of salt, and fried foods
• Limit caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea, green tea, sports drinks, energy drinks, and chocolates as caffeine contains diuretic properties and it interferes with the absorption of iron from the foods
• Avoid foods with added sugars such as sweets, desserts, sodas, and sweetened fruit juices
• Stay away from homemade fermented drinks and non-pasteurized milk products
• Refrain from eating raw foods, undercooked meats, half-boiled eggs, and raw sprouts
• Wash fruits and vegetables well under running water before cooking to get rid of any pesticides and insecticides on their skin surface. Peel the fruits before consumption
• Maintain hygiene on your kitchen countertops and hands to avoid the risk of infections
• Avoid leaving the foods unattended for more than 2 hours. Throw away any leftovers within 24 hours.

Foods to Prevent Aplastic Anemia

Aplastic Anemia is an autoimmune disease and no particular food can prevent the disease. Healthier food choices which include leafy greens, fully cooked meats, peas, lentils, chickpeas, nuts, pasteurized milk products, organ meats, liver, and eggs can lessen the symptoms of the disease. Including foods rich in iron, protein, folic acid, and vitamin C helps in the synthesis of new red blood cells which fights the symptoms like fatigue, weakness, headache, and dizziness of aplastic anemia.

The iron source obtained from iron-rich foods is used by the bone marrow to produce healthy cells. High-quality iron is found in animal sources such as liver, organ meats, and shellfish. Include a wide range of fruits rich in vitamin C as it is a much-needed vitamin for iron absorption.

Staying away from exposure to toxic chemicals, insecticides, pesticides, organic solvents, and thinners used to remove paints reduces the risk of the disease.

Maintaining a healthy bone marrow keeps many blood-related diseases at bay. Red and white blood cells are produced by the stem cells in the bone marrow. When there is damage in the stem cells of the bone marrow, it results in Aplastic anemia.

Aplastic Anemia FAQs