As an ITP warrior, I do a lot of research so I can be a good steward of my health. However, I sometimes come across conflicting information. One piece of research seems to answer our question…while another piece of research tells me the exact opposite! I feel caught in the middle….what am I supposed to do?
For example, we often get conflicting information about what may be “good” or “bad” for the platelets in our blood.
TIP #1 – Always look (or ask) for research. We may have well-meaning family and friends who want to share informationthat they heard somewhere. We want to trust our doctors. Our doctor may even be an expert in ITP (if there is such a thing, with ITP being so rare!) However, doctors are not typically experts in nutrition or food. It is up to us to be come experts in…us!
TIP #2 – Beware of the statement “It lowers platelets”. We need to understand the difference between platelet quantity and platelet quality. Platelet count is the actual number that appears on our lab work. Platelet aggregation refers to the “stickiness” of the platelets. Many times we are told something will “lower the platelets”, when in fact, it may make the platelets less sticky. Know the difference! It will help you make an informed decision.
TIP #3 – Research both sides of the argument. You’re going to have to decide who to believe and whose advice you trust enough to follow. Whose information resonates with your personal philosophy of wellness? (It may even happen that your doctor stands on the side that you don’t agree with. I suppose that is a discussion for a different time…)
TIP #4 – Understand the risk-to-benefit ratio. Turmeric, ginger, garlic, oh my! These foods have tremendous health benefits. SOME sources say they can effect platelet aggregation. (There are other sources that say the opposite!) You may decide the health benefits outweigh the possible risk...or not... If you’re undecided, refer back to tip #3.
My point isn’t to tell you what is safe or recommended for your personal health. I encourage you to make that specific decision for yourself. However, my point is….make sure you look at the actual research on BOTH sides of an issue whenever you hear someone say, “That is bad (or good) for your health…” Also, it is Ok to disagree with your doctor. For some support on how to partner with your health care provider, see my blog post WHO'S THE BOSS?
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I recently came across a research article that was written back in 2003 by the doctors who developed the Chinese herbal supplements for ITP. (Yes, the very herbal supplements that helped put me into remission.) The article discusses the differences in Western versus Eastern philosophy regarding autoimmune disease. Western medicine treats autoimmune disease as a completely random dysfunction of the immune system and seeks to suppress it, as it seems to have become “overactive”. Unfortunately, although powerful immunosuppressive drugs may actually raise platelet counts, the underlying imbalance of the body that caused ITP in the first place remains unchanged.
The article states, “Toxins in the tissues are a common cause of autoimmune disease. Toxic tissues or cells are attacked by the immune system in an attempt to rid the body of them.” In other words, in the case of ITP, the platelets have somehow become “sick” and the immune system is doing its job by destroying them. This would indicate that it is not a dysfunction of the immune system, but a dysfunction of the platelet itself. THIS TOTALLY BLEW MY MIND!!
What would cause toxicity of the platelets? “Toxicity can be caused by the build up of any foreign chemical to the body – pharmaceuticals agents, pesticides, contaminants, or toxic metals” (including mercury). THIS MEANS WE ACTUALLY *MAY* HAVE SOME CONTROL OVER OUR PLATELETS! If I can cut out ANY & ALL toxins that I possibly can, then I can begin to help my platelets heal. I find this INCREDIBLY empowering!!
The authors also discuss prolonged stress and depression, which I believe triggered the onset of my ITP. “Autoimmune diseases are often associated with low energy states in the body. Low cellular energy conditions hamper cell function and detoxifying activity, which can stimulate the immune system to attack the affected tissues or cells.”
The focus on treating ITP (and other autoimmune diseases) is to improve the tissue quality through improved nutrition, circulation, and detoxification. The article shared the research with their protocol of herbal supplements between 1996 – 2001. They followed 20 patients for 12 months. The mean platelet count of the participants was 16K. All had failed to respond to conventional therapy. Three patients had undergone splenectomy. They tested patients at 3, 6, 12 months. At the end of 12 months, 12 patients had platelet counts of over 140K, 5 patients had platelet counts over 100K, 3 patients had platelet counts over 50K, 0 patients experienced “no effect”.
In the conclusion, the doctors also state, “Excess anxiety, fear, and anger are all stressors that can add to the suppression of platelet production and destruction.” Knowing that stress played a HUGE role in the onset of ITP for me, I am a firm believer in finding ways to reduce stress. I also have made it a point to reduce ALL unnecessary toxins in my home. This includes: artificial fragrances, and harsh chemicals in cleaning and personal care products. I’m certain that if I hadn’t made so many lifestyle changes since getting into remission, I would have re-toxified my platelets and I would have relapsed.
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I was diagnosed in 2003 with a platelet count of 2k. Drs tried prednisone, win Rho, chemo, IVIG, Rituxan, & splenectomy. Splenectomy didn't work at all. Prednisone helped, but wasn't a long term treatment option. Long story short, I decided to try alternative treatments. I found a protocol of Herbal supplements that were formulated specifically for ITP by doctors who were trained in both Western medicine and Traditional Chinese medicine.
It wasn't a quick fix. Natural treatments tend to take longer than pharmaceuticals. It took about 1 year to get into remission. In hindsight, since I didn’t make any other lifestyle changes at the time, it is very possible that’s why it took so long for the herbal supplements to be effective.
It wasn't a quick fix. Natural treatments tend to take longer than pharmaceuticals. It took about 1 year to get into remission. In hindsight, since I didn’t make any other lifestyle changes at the time, it is very possible that’s why it took so long for the herbal supplements to be effective.
Although the herbs helped me achieve remission, I made many lifestyle changes later which I attribute my staying in remission. To be honest, if I had NOT made these changes, I don’t think I would still be healthy 17 years later!
* I changed my diet and removed foods that cause inflammation (gluten, dairy, refined sugar, all processed food). It is a commitment to “eat real food”, but I feel so much better. I have come to realize that gluten causes me full blown inflammation indicated with a fever, body aches, and extreme fatigue. I found an anti-inflammatory protocol that has been extremely helpful.
* I removed cleaning products & personal care products from my home that contain harsh chemicals & artificial fragrances. There are so many things lurking in our homes that we don’t even think about. I got really good at reading labels: sodium laurel sulfate, parabens, “fragrance”. These all disrupt the endocrine system (hormones), cause cancer, and keep us sick!
* I started using essential oils for many things such as managing my stress, balancing my hormones, and supporting my immune system. I realized that, for every essential oil I could use to support my health…there was something in my cupboard I could get rid of that had a toxic ingredient. It was a win/win!
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I’ve been in remission from ITP for over seventeen years. There are so many things I wish I knew when I was first diagnosed. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself these five things:
1. YOUR BODY IS DESIGNED TO HEAL ITSELF – Our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made! They are created to stay in perfect balance. Sometimes, crazy things happen…like ITP! I believe that when given the proper tools, our body CAN heal itself. It might take time…but don’t give up hope!
2. YOUR BODY DOESN’T HATE YOU – It might feel like that sometimes! Western medicine believes that there is no good reason for autoimmune disease. We are told that our immune system “flipped a switch” and started attacking us! Holistic practitioners don’t happen to believe that. There IS a root cause….even if your doctor can’t find it. Keep digging! I’m certain that the root cause of my ITP was toxic levels of stress.
3. HARSH CHEMICALS KEEP US SICK – There are toxic ingredients in our home that play a role in keeping us sick! They are found in personal care products and other cleaning products. We need to ditch the toxic chemicals, because we can’t help our health if we keep poisoning ourselves!
4. WHAT YOU EAT MATTERS – Everything we put in our body either helps us or hurts us. It may be true that no one food automatically raises platelets, or puts ITP into remission because foods don’t work like pharmaceuticals. However, eating junk food, processed food, etc is NOT going to help our body get back into proper balance. Those types of foods cause inflammation, which bring us to our next point…
5. CHRONIC INFLAMMATION IS HARMFUL – low levels of chronic inflammation can exacerbate health conditions. Chronic inflammation can even trigger autoimmune disease. Just like there are foods that can cause inflammation, there are also foods that reduce it! One of my favorite anti-inflammatory foods is goji berries! GOJI BERRY BLOG POST
I also have a favorite anti-inflammatory protocol that combines some great healthy habits and is a powerhouse for reducing inflammation! Reducing inflammation can be a key in helping our body get to a place where it can begin to heal!
If you’re an ITP warrior, let’s stay connected! I’m always happy to share my story and what has been helping me stay in remission!
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the holiday season and in need of some stress relief?
Look no further than one of your favorite treats – dark chocolate! Not only does it satisfy your sweet tooth, but it can also help reduce stress levels. But how does it work?
Dark chocolate contains several components that contribute to its stress-reducing properties. Firstly, it contains magnesium, a mineral known for its ability to promote relaxation and calmness. Magnesium helps regulate cortisol, a hormone that is released under stress and can lead to anxiety. By keeping cortisol levels in check, dark chocolate can help you feel more at ease.
Another stress-fighting ingredient found in dark chocolate is flavonoids, powerful antioxidants that have been shown to have a positive impact on stress levels. These compounds can enhance mood, reduce inflammation, and improve overall well-being. By consuming dark chocolate, you give your body a boost of these beneficial flavonoids, which can help combat stress.
Additionally, dark chocolate stimulates the production of endorphins, which are natural chemicals in the brain that promote feelings of pleasure and happiness. When stress takes its toll, indulging in a small piece of dark chocolate can trigger the release of these endorphins, resulting in an uplifted mood and a sense of relaxation.
While dark chocolate can offer stress reduction benefits, it's important to consume it in moderation. Opt for high-quality dark chocolate with minimal added sugars and focus on savoring small portions. It's also worth noting that dark chocolate is not a substitute for professional help when dealing with chronic or severe stress.
So, the next time you feel stressed, reach for a piece of dark chocolate and let its magical properties work their charm. Treat yourself to a moment of indulgence while providing your body with some stress relief. Remember, when it comes to managing stress, a little bit of dark chocolate can go a long way.
Do you have a favorite dark chocolate holiday treat? Drop a comment and let me know!
If you'd like some more tips about reducing stress, let's stay connected!
