What should a patient with myelofibrosis eat?

Since MF plays a role in your day-to-day life–from food to finances to what you do for fun–we created articles with experts' perspectives on how to improve life with MF.

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Adrienne Raimo,
RDN, LD, CHC, CLT

To get more specific dietary suggestions for people diagnosed with a disease like myelofibrosis (MF), we interviewed Adrienne Raimo, an integrative and functional dietitian-nutritionist.

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Q

Is there a specific diet you might recommend for MF patients that help support blood health and a healthy immune system?

A

The best diet for someone with MF would be one that is personalized to them - their preferences, tolerances and one that works with the treatments they are already receiving.

“Nutrient-rich foods which have high levels of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, while also having anti-inflammatory properties, are the way to go.”

For better blood health and a healthy immune system, I would suggest looking at including more dark, leafy greens because they can help purify the blood and strengthen the immune system with nutrients such as calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, and vitamins A, C, E and K. Additionally, they are a great source of fiber, folic acid, and chlorophyll.
Since zinc is important for the health of our immune systems, I recommend including food sources of zinc  -  including sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, spinach, pecans, and pine nuts.
Iron helps with nerve transmission, moving oxygen throughout the body, and nourishing tissues. Some of the best sources of iron-rich foods include raw cacao, onions, spinach, parsley, and seaweeds.

Q

What are your tips for helping reduce inflammation overall? And inflammation in the stomach, liver or spleen?

A

In general, it’s eating foods that are nutrient-rich and nourishing for your individual body. It’s important to remove food allergies, sensitivities and intolerances as they can cause more inflammation in your body. These recommendations will benefit your digestive system and your immune system.
For more information about anti-inflammatory diets, click here.
What the myelofibrosis experts have to say:
“While not conclusive, our initial MPN pilot study did show a correlation between eating a Mediterranean Diet and reduced cytokine-related symptoms—comparable to what cytoreductive drugs have shown,”
Dr Fleischman, an Associate Professor in Hematology and Oncology at the School of Medicine at UC Irvine and Lead investigator in The NUTRIENT Trial

Q

What are some foods to avoid?

A

What is not recommended: white bread, pasta, potato chips, corn chips, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened drinks as they tend to be high in calories and carbohydrates (which can mess with blood sugar regulation) and low in vitamins and minerals (which can also negatively impact immunity). Avoidance of any foods one is allergic or sensitive to is important as those reactions can increase inflammation in the body.
Avoid: white bread, pasta, potato chips, corn chips, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened drinks.

Q

What are other health tips you might suggest for people with MF?

A

Nutrition doesn’t operate in a vacuum. A healthy lifestyle that incorporates reducing toxins, getting enough sleep, having high-quality water, and enjoyable body movement is also key. Having a wellness plan that supports you as a whole person, looking beyond green juices and into your emotional and mental wellbeing, may be just what you need for a higher quality of life.
“looking beyond green juices and into your emotional and mental well-being, may be just what you need for a higher quality of life.”
What the myelofibrosis experts have to say:
“The key is to start where people living with myelofibrosis are and make positive dietary changes toward an anti-inflammatory diet. Sometimes jumping to a radical change in diet may be a bridge too far,”
Dr Mesa, the Vice Dean for Cancer at Wake Forest School of Medicine, and another lead investigator in The NUTRIENT Trial

Diet plays an important role in your health. Fill your plate with nutrient-rich foods that support your personal health needs.