According to NutritionMD.org, SCD sufferers require higher levels of calories and micro-nutrients, being vitamins and minerals.  As corroborated by a plethora of sources, "a diet emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes will provide a great proportion of essential vitamins and minerals absent from Western diets, coupled with supplements (one to three times the recommended intake for most essential nutrients)," thus preventing potential deficiencies in caloric intake and required minerals, vitamins and nutrients.

Moreover, NutritionMD.org states, with regards to blood levels of the above-noted vitamins and minerals in SCD sufferers such as vitamin A and carotenoids, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, magnesium and zinc, can more often than not register quite low, resulting in antioxidant deficiencies, increasing the chance of SCCs or EPOCs.

However, the article goes on to state that studies have shown that vitamin-mineral supplementation (being vitamins C, E and, zinc and magnesium) and/or high-dosage antioxidant treatment, may reduce the level of sickled blood cells in an SCD sufferer's body.

Corroborated again by a plethora of sources, the article argues omega-3 fatty acids found primarily in fish oils may "improve the membranes of red blood cells," thus decreasing the advent of EPOCs requiring hospitalization.  Though the article admits this conclusion has "not yet  been confirmed in controlled trials."

Education-Osmosis: Information Takeaways
  • Drink plenty of fluids (water or juice) to reduce the advent of EPOCs and maintain healthy kidneys avoid caffeine and soda
  • Children with SCD need more calories than other children
  1. "may use about 20% more energy at rest than other children";
  2. maintain normal caloric intake before, during and after illness; 
  3. avoid eating too much (whether adult or adolescent).
  • Some SCD medications can cause constipation
  1. eat vegetables and grains containing fiber (beans, peas, oats and bran products).
  • Children with SCD need folate to create new blood cells.  Good sources of folate include:
  1. (alternatives) dry beans: red beans, navy beans, soybeans, lentils, chickpeas, cow peas, peanuts;
  2. Veggies being: leafy greens (spinach, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, romaine, loose leaf lettuces), peas, okra, sweet corn, beets, broccoli;
  3. Fruits being: blackberries, boysenberries, kiwifruit, oranges, plantains, strawberries, orange juice, pineapple juice.

Remember: Some of these fruits are great sources for antioxidants.

Works Cited