Do You Follow A Specific Diet To Help With MPN?
There is some evidence to support the Mediterranean Diet for MPNs due to the anti-inflammatory and cardiac benefits. I loosely follow those guidelines. I think the important things are to eat healthy, take it easy on the animal products (more plant-based nutrition), avoid/limit processed foods, avoid contaminants in the food stream like carcinogens, antibiotics, hormones, BPAs, xenoestrogens, pesticides, herbicides, and other toxins. We cannot totally avoid all of the toxins in foods, but we can limit our exposure to things that may make things worse.
I was diagnosed with PV in 2016, and I just turned 76. I am very anti-medications, and I only have taken one 81mg aspirin daily. I've had IBS, GERD, and anxiety & stress, with other PV symptoms. I have a very limited diet, but I use the "Low FODMAP Diet", and have a PDF of it printed out on my refrigerator's door. I never eat fried foods, spicy foods, beef, pork, or lamb. I only eat small portions of chicken, turkey, or shrimp. I use LOTS of Organic EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and put it on almost everything. I eat Cottage Cheese every day. I don't drink milk but love cheese. I miss the foods I'm no longer am able to eat like spicy foods, and anything fried. I still eat mild Mexican, Italian & Chinese foods. I eat lots of pasta and Chinese Lo Mein (vegetable or chicken). I can no longer eat pepper AT ALL, and use much less garlic than in prior decades. I don't eat Deli meats. I eat veggie pizzas made with a Basil/Pesto base, and black olives, tomatoes, artichokes, spinach, portobello mushrooms, cheese, and EVOO. I gave up ALL foods that had cooked tomatoes (marinara sauces, soups). I can eat fresh tomatoes My favorite Doc told me to only eat meats that walk on two legs, or that swim. Meaning chicken, turkey, or seafood. I take NO multi-vitamins as many contain Iron, or B-vitamins that can ramp up your Hem & Hem blood levels. My Onco/Hema is amazing, and knows I don't want to take any drugs so I only taking one 81mg aspirin, Magnesium gummies, vitamin D3 gummies, (as having PV depletes your bone marrow). And NO vitamin C, I'll always drink Sauvignon Blanc, and I drink bottled water with electrolytes (brands like "Smart Water").I eat Greek or French yogurt every day. I gave up "soft drinks" like Coke, or ANY carbonated drinks or Sparkling Waters. I try to follow the "Low FODMAP Diet", I just turned 76, and have maintained the same weight my entire life, so I'm 5' 5", weigh 119, and use the online "Mayo Clinic BMI calculator". My skin is VERY sensitive, and dry, and I bruise easily. I keep a very routine sleep schedule, but I'm a light sleeper, so I'm up/down during the night as my dogs sleep with me. I know to NEVER take baths, only lukewarm showers, and while damp, coat my skin with unscented body lotion. PLEASE stop taking B12, B6, & Folate to see if it might help lower H&H levels. Don't eat foods that are high in Iron, as that makes PV worse.
I do my best to eat plant forward, reduce alcohol, sugars and carbs and it helps me sleep better and feel better overall.
I have had ET for 12 years now and have never been on any diet. Not that I take my condition lightly but there's no actual evidence that diets really help with the disease itself. Of course, it is advisable to eat healthy but if you only want to go on a diet for the sake of this condition - eat what you want and be happy!
I try to limit all meats, and have healthy vegetables and fruits, only vitamins I take is D for bones, probiotics for stomach. I love my Ginger as a treat. Drink heaps of water and try to walk 1 hour everyday. Do have a small nap in day to recharge.
Polycythemia: Memory Issues
Is Anyone Else Participating In The Study Being Done By Dr. Angela Fleischman Out Of UC Irvine About Nutrition Or Familial MPNs?
All These Rx’s For Our Issues In Here And My ET Seem To Have Bad Side Effects. Makes Sense As They’re Rx But Still, Some Gotta Be Better.