Contents
Vegetable food for malaria
NUTRITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MALARIA PATIENTS
Specific recommendations according to the different symptoms
Malaria affects different systems and organs in our body and can cause different varied problems.
With the adequate food, we can minimize its consequences, by means of maintaining the structures and organs of our body as healthy, strong and nourished as possible, so that the least possible damage is done to it.
The following nutritional recommendations depend on the symptoms and possible complications that often have people affected with malaria.
Pulmonary edema
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) and foods high in this vitamin favor the elimination of retained fluids in the airways causing edema.
Chronic anemia
Iron- rich foods are recommended in malaria diet
Eating iron-rich foods can help easily generate more red blood cells in our body and minimize the severity of anemia, caused by the constant destruction of erythrocytes by anemia parasites.
Iron absorption will be greater if we consume these foods along with foods rich in vitamin C
Internal bleeding
Avoid foods high in vitamin K, to control blood clotting. Malaria bleeding can be caused both either by parasites (blood in stool) or for the treatment (Quinine, among others).
We should not take many foods rich in this vitamin, such as cabbage and green leafy vegetables, thanks to its anticoagulant effect, can be detrimental to control such bleeding.
Alterations in the kidneys
It is necessary to ingest food that does not generate more work than the necessary one for that vital organs, in order not to overload them, because kidneys are constantly removing toxins produced by the parasitic infection.
We will have to consider the following:
- Avoid foods and drinks that contain alkaloid substances that the kidneys must debug, such as coffee or tea
- Because of the fever, the need to be hydrated is increased. So, fluid intake in our diet should also be higher. This will encourage greater dilution of toxins, facilitating its elimination through the kidneys.
Neurological disorders
Because their content in omega 3, walnuts must be included in malaria diet
In order to prevent such anomalies, when possible, we will perform supplementation with DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
This essential fatty acid comes from oily fish and forms part of almost half of the cerebral nerve structure.
Our body can synthesize it from EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and linolenic acid, better known as omega 3 acids through foods like flax seeds and flax oil, walnuts and walnut oil, etc. In the case of malaria, it is preferable to ensure that the dose is sufficient, for example, by means of DHA bead supplements together with one therapeutically functional dose.
Alterations in the spleen
The spleen is responsible to keep the blood clean. It destroys red blood cells (RBCs) that are old, but, in this case, it also removes part of red blood cells that are infected, and produces healthy new red blood cells.
It is also responsible for the body’s immune system and for building defenses against external pathogens.
Altogether, if there is any alteration in this organ, it can not perform its duties properly. Considering how important spleen is, we will make a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods to counteract the inflammation and pain that accompanies malaria.
We must make a malaria diet that helps the production of defenses to fight this disease, thus facilitating the tasks of this organ, which is more than likely to be collapsed.
Disorders of the liver
Performing a diet low in fat is necessary not to add more unnecessary work to the liver.
Differently to the kidneys or spleen, liver, besides being constantly eliminating the toxins produced by parasitic infections residing in the bloodstream, should also regenerate itself from the destruction of cells that the replication and maturation of malaria parasite is responsible for.
* Related information: Malaria prevention
More information on malaria diet and natural remedies.
