Diet, Nutrition, & Home Remedies

Diet, Nutrition, and Home Remedies:

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Unique Ways of Keeping Hydrated for the Sickle Cell Patient:
Keeping hydrated can sometimes be tricky as we can get tired of just drinking water all the time. Keeping hydrated is critical and can lead to sickling crisis. Soda pop, coffee, concentrated unhealthy sugary fruit juices, and other sugary, dyed drinks are dehydrating and too much sugar can freeze the immune system temporarily, so do your best to avoid them at all costs. Here are some ideas on keeping hydrated:

Tea : Herbal teas are an amazing way to hydrate the body and are often over looked. Choose from an enormous variety teas: peppermint, ginger, dandelion, lemon balm, sage, p’darco, don qui, mint, light green teas, chai tea). Green and black teas, Matcha teas, and Yerba Mate have enormous health benefits, but if you drink too much of it the caffeine in them will dehydrate you, so take in small doses (1 or 2 cups per day). Matcha and Yerba Mate also increase metabolism as well.
Gatorade / Electrolyte Juices: Regular Gatorade and other sports drinks are filled with chemicals, dyes, and sugar, so it is best to avoid them. Try this recipe for homemade electrolyte juice prescribed by a natropath: 1/2 cup organic, not-from-concentrate, 100% pure fruit juice (mango tastes great), 2 cups of mineralized water, (you can use regular water as well), and tiny pinch of unbleached sea salt (Himalayan, Celtic, or French sea salt are good choices just as long as the salt is not white in colour. It should look grey or pink in colour. This is a wonderfully hydrating formula that restores electrolytes naturally to the body and is amazingly hydrating and tasty. This formula is basically mimicking the effects of saline that is used to hydrate us in the hospital through our IVs.
Lemonade and Lemon/lime Water: Lemons and limes are extremely alkalizing and are a great way to change up the taste of water and add a refreshing drink, especially during the summer seasons. Use mineralized water for best results.
Apple Cider Vinegar Water: Here is a probiotic option. Just add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to your mineralized water for a probiotic alkalizing water. It is not the tastiest of waters, but it is extremely healthy and a great option when we have a cold / flu.
Chia Water: Chia is an amazing superfood. When added to mineralized water it provides electrolytes, fibre, anti oxidants and other important nutrients to the body. Just add a 1 tablespoon to your mineralized water, stir and drink. This is a great option if you suffer from constipation as well.
Water Kefir: Water kefir is an outstanding probiotic drink that may be tougher to find. It is also called Mexican Tobicos or Japanese water crystals. If you can get a hold of some water kefir you can make your own fizzy probiotic soda pop (without all the chemicals, dyes, and sugars). I mix mine with some organic fruit juice or I make a fizzy lemonade or gatorade drink as well. Do your research and see if this would be a health option for you.
Oregano water: This option is great if you have a cold or flu or if you are around a lot of people (ie. school, work, public transit) during cold and flu season. Put a little a few drops (1 - 8 drops in a litre of mineralized water).
Coconut water: This is an amazing and delicious option that provides essential minerals and electrolytes. Some coconut waters taste better than others so try a few different kinds until you find one that you like. Or get if straight from the coconut itself - just buy a young coconut from the grocery store, hammer 3 holes in the top and tip it over a glass until all the fluid is out. Then crack the coconut itself for a yummy treat that goes great with yogurt.
Infused water: Try infusing water with your favorite fruits and veggies (ie. cucumber, lemon, orange, grapefruit, mint, coconut, ginger, apple, pear, cherry, etc.) Just take the fruit or vegetable and cut them into small pieces; put them into your chosen container and shake it up and let sit in the fridge for 24 hours.

Colds and Flu Season:
Cold and flu season can sometimes spell disaster for Sickle Cell patients. Here are some ideas on staying healthy during cold and flu season. These measure may seem a little extreme, so do only what feels right for you. Remember, Sickle Cell related complications can be a major reason for serious hospitalizations or worse.

Steer clear of public places (buses, subways, libraries, schools, office areas, etc) if possible during cold and flu season. See if its possible to work from home or take online classes / distance education. If you do have to take public transit try wearing a mask with scented oils.
Ask friends and family to avoid contact with you if they have a cold or flu and ask them to wash there hands if they have been exposed.
If you know someone has had a cold or flu and they have visited your house it is wise to disinfect any areas where they may have touched.
Wash / sterilize anything you rent from the library, video rental store, or any other thing that you borrow from high populated areas.
Use echinacea, oregano oil, elderberry juice / syrups / teas, and other immune boosters and anti viral herbs and tinctures regularly to boost immunity.
Bump up your probiotics.
If you know you have to be around public places have a water bottle with a little oregano oil in it to give yourself some added protection (see article below "Keeping Hydrated").
Keep warm, keep hydrated.
If you do get sick, see your doctor right away. Keep warm, keep hydrated, keep positive.
Remember, prevention is your greatest ally.

Methods of Cleansing and Detoxification

Coming Soon.

Diet and Nutrition

Coming Soon.

Foods and Herbs for Pain Management

Coming Soon.

Probiotics and Antibiotics

Coming Soon.

Disclaimer:
Information or materials on this website are not intended to treat or replace your doctor’s advice nor do we endorse any particular product, technique, or idea. It is highly recommended that patients contact their haematologists or health care provider for adequate care and treatment.