Florence E.
Until last year, I knew I was anemic but had no "name" or explanation for the problems I have experienced all my life. Tired, a few times hospitalized for fatigue, skin problems, digestive problems, heart palpitations, etc. I received a copy of Balch and Balch's "Nutritional Healing" which has a section devoted to anemia and includes Thalassemia. You would do well to read the entire article.The article in that book has more detail than I could find in a medical journal a friend shared with me as far as symptoms and nutrition are concerned. Last night I checked Healthlink sites to see what I could learn about diet control for Beta Thal. Minor, which was my diagnosis. My father was Italian, Cherokee and Pennsylvania Dutch...it's the Mediterranean link for me. The Balch book lists many supplements to take. Blackstrap molasses is a good source of iron but I need to know if it will accumulate on our organs. My Primary physician told me to eat no red meat and take no iron supplements. I had noticed that after red meat at supper for a few daysin a row, I would suffer palpitations and higher blood pressure. He recommended chicken and fish. We are to avoid coffee, chocolate, tea, cocoa, soda and sugar. Dairy products are not recommended but I wonder if yogurt is okay with the enzymes and all. The iron supplements and any iron product will tire us because the iron cannot be metabolized by us. It accumulates on the heart, lungs, kidneys, etc. and makes it harder for the organs to function. We probably should not use bran or bran flakes for fiber because it seems to keep the intestines from releasing and helping the body to metabolize the iron somehow. Chelated supplements for iron, nickle, etc. are listed in a separate section of the book and it may be valuable to look into chelation therapy...certain chelated formulas will attach to the excess iron and remove it from the body, relieving the pressure on the organs. Broccoli and molasses may be important sources of iron for us. Try to get to GNC or a natural foods/health food store to see if you can read the entire article and check the back sections for details on chelated supplements, etc. If you cannot get to a place that has it, I'll see what I can do to email something to you--I have to get to a scanner, probably.