Polycythemia vera is a chronic blood disorder in which the body makes too many red blood cells.
This condition can cause many symptoms and complications.
This article discusses what to eat and what not to eat to minimize complications and improve overall health.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
The recommended dietary habits for polycythemia vera require planning and attention but aren’t highly restrictive.
Polycythemia vera is characterized by excess red blood cells circulating in your body throughout your life.
This can cause low energy, tiredness, stomach ulcers,gout, and kidney stones.
Over time, polycythemia vera may progress to blood cancer.
The associated bone marrow damage can also predispose you to bone fractures.
Fortunately, dietary changes andmedical treatment for polycythemia veracan prolong good health.
You will only have to reduce your intake of a few types of foods.
You should learn the optimal calorie intake for your height, body size, and level of activity.
Anutritionistor registered dietitian can create a few sample menus that you’ve got the option to easily prepare.
Duration
you oughta maintain a consistent approach to your diet.
The food habits that work best for polycythemia are safe and don’t cause side effects.
Your healthcare provider may advise you to make some temporary changes as you recover from these complications.
Talk to your healthcare provider about a smoking cessation program because it is difficult to quit on your own.
Other Polycythemia Vera Diets
Avoiding foods and supplements containing iron has been proposed for managing polycythemia vera.
Thats because iron is a component of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells.
However, iron intake has not been shown to affect polycythemia vera or its symptoms and complications.
Summary
Polycythemia vera can affect many aspects of your health as it progresses.
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Johns Hopkins Medicine.Polycythemia vera.
US Department of Agriculture.Dietary guidelines for Americans.
Hasselbalch HC.Smoking as a contributing factor for development of polycythemia vera and related neoplasms.Leuk Res.
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