Diet confusion.

[CathieG]

With my new Ninja Bullet I've been experimenting with juicing and supplements. One that I've been using called Spirulina is, I read, good for the liver and I've been adding this to all my potions.. Today, I've just read another report saying there's too much iron and shouldn't be used if the liver is compromised. Dos anyone else use this or don't use this because of the iron content? I wish someone would come up with a diet sheet listing all the things we shouldn't eat/drink!

[Hidden]

Hello CathieG.

I have one of those Nutri Bullets myself bought earlier this year. I actually don't like it as much as I did my old juicer. (I used to use a combination of juiced fruit/vegetables and a hand blender if I wanted to make anything like smoothies plus I have a hand citrus juicer too.) Besides the point, maybe this spirulina (can't say I've had) is best as an occasional ingredient as opposed to daily.

I think regarding iron in foods, depends on how your iron count (ferritin) is to start with. Also the chemical compound of iron. The richest and best form of iron said to be good for absorption is red meat. (Watched a good programme on UK tv (BBC1) last night, all about meat. Wasn't for or against, but turned up some surprising results in certain experiments undertaken. Iron in red meat was said to be the best form as opposed to spinach for eg that was featured.)

Also it is said that we need Vitamin C to aid iron absorption.

I've not read anything really about iron and compromised liver. I know a few years ago it was slightly lower in iron so I was advised to have a short course of iron tablets and then a recheck (was found to be adequate following. My iron loss was explained and been quite OK since).

I know the one thing that concerns me about these juicers, smoothie makers, etc is the actual amount we can take in at once. We'd not for eg munch through all what we might use in these machines.

It is said that we don't actually need to really alter diet in PBC. I asked the consultant pre-diagnosis and after he diagnosed me. He said just to continue with how I was eating. I know months before I was diagnosed my GP said he had done a blood check of my vitamins and minerals and said I was adequate, was just iron that was a bit low (I had nosebleeds for several years before referral to ENT. Cause was pinprick nose graze).

British Liver Trust do a leaflet all about diet in 'liver disease' so it might be worth checking that out online. They also do one on PBC too.

I know personally I just continue to eat as I think best. I don't take any supplements (odd calcium tablets with Vitamin D if I get heartburn from time to time as they are far far cheaper than Rennies here in the UK and the same except they've no colourings/flavour).

[June9961]

You know, I have had PBC for a very long time and mainly eat what I want, just keeping an eye on the high fat content or I will suffer. My consultant agrees with that and tbh my numbers have improved over the years. Just enjoy life and don't get hung up on diets etc. Just listen to your body.🙂

[teddybear7]

I eat a low fat diet, because I have trouble when I eat fat, other than that I eat as always have. I don't have any supplements without referring to health professionals first. X

[moepag]

My doctors in the US do not recommend using supplements as they haven't been subject to FDA approval and there isn't enough information about how they may interact with medications. I was asking about Black Cohosh for hot flashes but they did not recommend that or any other supplement.

[chynablue]

Are you taking a Spirulina supplement in pill form with fillers? If so, there's no need. Spirulina is simply a blue-green algae. I order high quality spirulina powder from a company in California and add up to 1 scoop (1 serving) every day to my smoothies.

The label on my powdered spirulina has 10% of the recommended daily value of iron, which is not a lot. But, if you can get 10% DRV of iron in a small scoop, then it is considered "high in iron" because that's a lot for the volume you are eating. Check with your doctor, though. The form of iron you get from spirulina is highly absorbable and easy on the digestive system.

Spirulina is very high in beta carotene, which your body converts to Vitamin A. Its good for your eyes, skin, immune system, and the lining of your digestive tract. Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin that can sometimes be low in people with liver disease as the liver struggles to process fats. There is such a thing as Vitamin A overdose, which is serious but the beta carotene form does not cause overdose as the body only converts what it needs to Vitamin A.

Spirulina is high in antioxidants (phycocyanins), anti-inflammatories (GLA) and chlorophyll, all of which are supposed to be very good for you because they protect your cells from damage and helps to remove toxins from the blood.

My favorite spirulina smoothie right now is 1 cup frozen organic blueberries, 1/2 avocado, 8 raw cashews, 3 dates, scoop of spirulina, scoop of camu camu (high vitamin C fruit in powder form), and unsweetened vanilla almond milk. Blend it up in my Ninja. Its a rich, deep blue-green color.

[CathieG in reply to chynablue]

Im taking the powder thank you. I think maybe i should just continue for a month and see if my energy levels improve. Next time i see my GP i will discuss more. Diet seems to a topic where there is not a straight yes or no answer.