What is G6PD Deficiency, foods and drugs to avoid?

G6PD Deficiency? why the person who had it cannot eat any food that the person eaten normally like a delicious burger, my favorite.
 

From: http://en.wikipedia.org

What is this they called G6PD Deficiency?

G6PD deficiency or Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (that is most common in males) is an X-linked recessive genetic deficiency characterized by abnormally low levels of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, a metabolic enzyme involved in the pentose phosphate pathway, especially important in red blood cell metabolism. G6PD deficiency is the most common human enzyme, these enzymes that help the body process carbohydrates and turn them into energy. In this processing another enzyme is produced called reduced glutathione. This enzyme is a very powerful antioxidant. Since those with G6PD Deficiency don’t have enough G6PD, they don’t produce enough reduced glutathione to protect cells from oxidative stress.

G6PD also protects red blood cells from potentially harmful by products that can accumulate when a person takes certain medications or when the body is fighting an infection. Without enough G6PD to protect them, RBCs can be damaged or destroyed.

G6PD is important in Red blood cell, so, what will happen if this becomes abnormal? The Hemolytic anemia occurs when the bone marrow (the soft, spongy part of the bone that produces new blood cells) cannot compensate for this destruction to increase the production of RBCs, (a red blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body)

Where, this G6PD Deficiency comes from, how it happen?

• This is a hereditary, is passed along in genes from one or both parents to a child. The gene responsible for this deficiency is on the X chromosome  that controls the production of G6PD in cells.
• G6PD deficiency occurs when your body does not produce adequate amounts of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.
• When your RBC’s are exposed to Oxidative Stress, the cell membrane either bursts or is damaged because there is no, or not enough reduced glutathione to protect them. (Oxidative Stress, in three main categories. Infectious diseases cause oxidative stress.  Viruses (flu, colds) and  Germ infections can cause it).

 What are the symptoms of G6PD Deficiency?   

You may not know if you have a g6pd because you may not have symptom, symptoms happens if your red blood cells break down because it exposed to certain drugs or the stress of infection, that’s the time the symptoms may appear, they may include,

• Paleness (in darker-skinned kids, paleness is sometimes best seen in the mouth, especially on the lips or tongue)
• Extreme tiredness
• Rapid heartbeat
• Rapid breathing or phortness of breath
• Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes, particularly in newborns
• An enlarged spleen dark, tea-colored urine and a blood test will tell you if you have G6PD Deficiency.

Treatment.

There is no cure for the condition but in the acute phase of hemolysis, blood transfusions might be necessary or even dialysis in acute renal failure. Blood transfusion is an important symptomatic measure, as the transfused red cells are generally not G6PD deficient and will live a normal lifespan in the recipient's circulation. Those affected should avoid drugs such as aspirin. Some patients may benefit from removal of the spleen (splenectomy), as this is an important site of red cell destruction. Folic acid should be used in any disorder featuring a high red cell turnover. Although vitamin E and selenium have antioxidant properties, their use does not decrease the severity of G6PD deficiency.
 
How to prevent the infection induced attack of hemolysis?

• Avoidance of the drugs and foods that cause hemolysis and reducing stress level,
• Vaccination against some common pathogens (e.g. hepatitis A and hepatitis B) may prevent infection-induced attacks.

Foods to avoid, some foods can cause low level hemolysis for g6pd person.

Low level hemolysis, which means that red blood cells die, but not so serious to rush to the hospital. But if Low level hemolysis takes over time it can cause problems, such as memory dysfunction, overworked spleen, liver, kidney and heart, and iron overload.

Food to avoid

• Avoid all legumes.  Such as lima beans, fava beans, kidney beans or soybeans. Soy-containing products, such as tofu, bean curds, miso or textured soy protein. Look out for less easily recognizable legumes such as alfalfa sprouts, peanuts, licorice or carob. Some legumes, such as fava beans cause severe hemolysis but several other legumes, beans and pulses cause less severe hemolysis but can still damage your health, Sulfites and foods containing them. Sulfites are used in a wide variety of foods, so check it out carefully.
• Do not eat menthol, or menthol-containing foods such as breath mints or candy, tooth paste, mouth wash, but mint from natural mint oils is alright to consume.
• Artificial blue food coloring (Methylene and Toluidine blue) other artificial food color can also cause hemolysis but natural food color such as found in foods like turmeric or grapes is okay.
• Artificial ascorbic acid commonly put in food and vitamins can cause hemolysis in large doses and should be avoided.
• Do not drink tonic water or eat bitter melon; do not eat refined sugar, high-fructose corn syrup or white flour. 
• Avoid already-prepared Chinese foods. These foods can contain herbs that could provoke a hemolytic episode.
• Herbs include Flos Chimonanthi praecosis, Rhizoma coptidis, margarita, Flos ionicerae and Calculus bovis. margarine, jarred salad dressings, canned soups, potato chips, canned fish and meats, hot dogs, sausages, processed meats, lowfat cheeses and sauces such as sweet and sour sauce or Worcestershire sauce.

You may say almost all foods in the world are prohibited, not all, here a food allow to eat by p6pd deficiency person.

You can consume fats from natural fat sources such as coconut oil, olive oil, palm oil or animal fat. Obtain your vitamins and minerals from natural sources such as bone stock soups. Round out your diet with proteins and carbohydrates not found on the G6PD Deficiency food to avoid.

There is also some Drug to avoid by G6PD person.
 
There are always an update to the drugs so, consult with your physician before using any of these substances to be safe, this are some classes of drugs, medicines and other substances that should be avoided if at all possible by G6PD Deficiency

• NSAIDS (Aspirin, Ibuprophen) 
• Tylenol 
• Quinolones 
• Drugs metabolized through the liver or known to cause blood or liver related problems or hemolysis 
• Sulfa drugs 
• Petro chemically derived substances, 
• Moth Balls and anything containing naphthalene. 
• Antimalarial drugs 

How to treat people with g6pd?

I have know some people who have this problem it’s a long time burden, medication, money and effort, especially when it detected at early age, like a kids, The best way to care for a child or treat person with G6PD deficiency is to limit exposure to the triggers of its symptoms. Help the person to do proper precautions, keeping their immune systems healthy and doing other things to help prevent being exposed to the diseases is vital. G6PD deficiency should not keep them from living a healthy, active life.

Advice.

This is very rare case, there are so many articles about G6PD Deficiency but the best action is consulting to your doctor first, about G6PD Deficiency before taking any action and how you can stay healthy and live a normal life with this condition.

Sources;

• Introduction to G6PD Deficiency
  http://g6pddeficiency.org/wp/#.U-2RqonvCrc
• About G6PD Deficiency
  http://m.kidshealth.org/parent/general/aches/g6pd.html
• G6PD Deficiency Drugs to Avoid
  http://g6pddeficiency.org/wp/living-with-g6pd-deficiency/drugs-to-avoid-list/
• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000528.htm
• G6PD Deficiency Foods to Avoid List
  http://g6pddeficiency.org/wp/living-with-g6pd-deficiency/g6pd-deficiency-foods-to-avoid-list/#.U-2ToInvCrc
• G6PD DEFICIENCY DIET
  http://www.livestrong.com/article/530197-g6pd-deficiency-diet/#page=1