Living with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), a blood disorder that can lead to excessive bleeding and bruising, can be frustrating in many ways. Aside from getting the proper treatment and medication from a doctor, many people with ITP may wonder if dietary changes can help get their platelet count up.
“I think we all wish there was one food you could eat or one thing you could do,” says Ginger Hultin, RDN, who is based in Seattle and is the author of How to Eat to Beat Disease Cookbook. “But the fact of the matter is, what we’re trying to do is support the body’s natural ability to create the type of cells that it needs.”
For people who have ITP, getting enough calories and protein to support the body’s normal functions and a consistent energy level is probably the most important aspect of their diet, Hultin says. She advises eating on a regular basis, “so breakfast, lunch, dinner, and probably a snack or two in between.”
While it can be frustrating that there isn’t a dietary magic bullet for ITP, “diet does matter, and there are things you can do,” Hultin says.
Beyond the foundation of eating enough and eating regularly, Hultin notes that specific nutrients found in foods may help support platelet production and clotting. The Platelet Disorder Support Association (PDSA) advises people with ITP to focus on eating more whole foods, healthy fats, and leafy greens, and to opt for organic whenever possible to reduce their exposure to chemical additives and sprays. The PDSA recommends limiting canned foods, processed foods, products with sugar and white flour, red meat, dairy products, and alcohol.
Start with this list of foods and beverages when considering what to include and limit in your diet when you have ITP.
1. Eat: Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
One nutrient that may support platelet production and function is folate. “That’s actually really easy to get as long as you’re eating fruits and vegetables,” says Hultin, especially if you’re eating leafy green vegetables.
2. Avoid: Concentrated Foods That May Interfere With Clotting
Certain foods, including red grapes, blueberries, garlic, onions, and ginger, may interfere with clotting when eaten in large quantities, per the PDSA. But in most cases, small amounts of these foods in your diet shouldn’t be a problem, says Hultin.
“If you have low platelets and you eat a little bit of garlic in food, I’d be surprised if that would drastically thin your blood,” Hultin says. “Where I’d be more worried is a supplemental form or if you’re using lots of garlic powder — that’s more concentrated than a garlic clove.”
When in doubt, Hultin says to talk to your doctor about any foods you should be avoiding because of your ITP.
3. Eat: Foods That Contain Healthy Fats
Healthy fats include nuts and nut butters, seeds, and avocados, which provide not just unsaturated fat but a wide range of other helpful nutrients, says Hultin.
What’s more, Hultin adds, these foods can help you get enough calories and provide an antidote to the fatigue that at least half of the people who have ITP experience, per the National Organization for Rare Disorders. “With fatigue, people need to focus on getting enough calories,” she says. “You’re not going to feel energized if you don’t get enough calories.”
4. Avoid: Foods High in Saturated and Trans Fats
While avoiding unhealthy forms of fat is good advice for most people, this precaution may be even more important for people who have ITP because of the long-term corticosteroids sometimes prescribed for the condition, Hultin says. People who receive corticosteroid treatment could be at an increased risk for high blood pressure, so heart-healthy foods are recommended, she adds.
Saturated fat can be found in meat and high-fat dairy products, while trans fats are found in processed foods that contain the word “hydrogenated” before a type of oil in the ingredients list. The PDSA advises people with ITP to avoid hydrogenated, partially hydrogenated, or trans fats as much as possible.
5. Eat: Lean Sources of Protein
Including protein in your diet not only provides the critical building blocks for many processes in your body but it can also help ensure that you avoid spikes and dips in your energy level throughout the day.
Quality sources of lean protein to include in your diet are poultry, fish, beans and lentils, nuts and seeds, and soy products.
Meat provides an easily absorbed form of iron, although Hultin says that you can get enough iron in your diet from other sources, including plants. “One of the biggest challenges with red meat from a health standpoint is saturated fat,” she says. The Cleveland Clinic has compiled a list of 52 foods that are high in iron.
6. Avoid: Fatty and Processed Meat
Not only do fatty and processed meat provide potentially unhealthy levels of saturated fat, they also contain less protein and are often high in sodium. Too much saturated fat and salt can be a concern for your heart health, Hultin notes. So be sure to stay away from items like bacon, sausage, and deli meat.
7. Eat: Whole Grains
Whole grains are an important source of complex carbohydrates, which form the basis of a balanced diet along with healthy fats and lean protein, says Hultin. Some options include oats, whole-wheat bread and pasta, quinoa, and other grains. These foods are also often a good source of B vitamins, she adds.
The PDSA conducted a survey on nontraditional treatments for ITP. One of them was the effect of the macrobiotic diet (a diet high in whole grains and fresh and seasonal produce) on bleeding symptoms and platelet counts. The survey found that 40 percent of patients reported improvements after following a macrobiotic diet.
8. Avoid: Refined Grains and Added Sugars
While it’s probably not realistic to avoid all refined grains and processed foods, these types of carbohydrates tend to be absorbed more quickly and don’t contain the nutrients found in their whole-grain counterparts.
Added sugars are especially important to limit, says Hultin, to ensure that your blood sugar and energy levels remain stable. “Added sugars often come with other refined carbohydrates, so if you’re avoiding that, you often get a two-for-one” benefit, she says. Refer to the nutrition facts label and ingredient list for added sugars. Added sugars include brown sugar, maple syrup, and honey.
9. Drink: Water and Other Fluids
Hydration is an important part of overall health and nutrition that is often overlooked, says Hultin. Consuming enough water can help you fight fatigue and may help improve digestion.
While beverages other than water can help you stay hydrated, make sure you’re not consuming added sugars in large amounts. Unsweetened herbal teas and flavored water may be good options if regular water doesn’t excite you.
10. Avoid: Alcoholic Beverages
Alcohol has well-established anticoagulant properties and should be consumed with caution if you have ITP, says Hultin. According to the PDSA, alcohol damages the bone marrow, which produces platelets.
Whether you need to avoid alcohol entirely depends on your individual counts and where you are with your treatment, Hultin says: “Some people won’t be able to drink much, if at all. And they definitely need to be talking to their doctor about that.”
11. Maybe Eat: Dairy Products
While some people with ITP avoid dairy entirely, dairy products offer nutritional benefits, according to Hultin. Dairy is “a good source of calories and protein, it’s a natural source of B12, and it’s a bone builder — there’s phosphorus and calcium,” she says.
But if you’re eating dairy products that are high in saturated fat or sodium, “you might need to look at the way you’re eating dairy,” says Hultin, who generally recommends low-fat dairy products.
12. Maybe Avoid: Coffee
Coffee “can be a mild anticoagulant,” says Hultin. “With coffee, I would suggest that each individual work with their doctor and ask, ‘How much can I have, if any?’”
The caffeine in coffee may be helpful to combat occasional bouts of fatigue, Hultin notes, but if you find yourself needing caffeine often to stay energized, “go back a little bit and make sure that you’re hitting the basics: getting enough calories, protein, and fat; getting enough water; and eating on a regular schedule,” she says.
The Takeaway
Living with chronic immune thrombocytopenia can be challenging, and it is especially important to support your platelet count through diet. Some ways to do that include these practices:
- Eat well-balanced meals that provide enough calories and essential nutrients like folate, healthy fats, and protein.
- Avoid trans fats, refined grains, and excessive alcohol.
- Aim to maintain steady energy by having regular meals and healthy snacks throughout the day.
Additional reporting by Ashley Welch.