green tea and iron overload

[Alvin]

Has anyone had tried Green Tea as a help in iron chelation ?
Alvin

[Chirley]

No, but my haematologist told me to avoid green tea because it suppressed bone marrow function.

[Alvin]

Wow. Thanks for posting that.

[Whizbang]

Chirley / Alvin,

I would check those facts about green tea... I don't think that there is a scientific basis for that statement...

All the Best, and may God Bless (us all)...

[Marlene]

Most things natural are not very effective at chelating iron at the level needed for those with iron overload from transfusion. There's just too much of it.

What green tea, as well as all other drinks with tannins in them, will do is to reduce the absorption of iron from the foods you eat when consumed together. So for those who consume large quantities of tea can become low in iron which can result in anemia.

In all my research, I've never come across articles on green tea suppressing bone marrow. That doesn't mean it doesn't exist though. I mostly find that it's protective of the cells and can suppress the bad ones.

[Chirley]

My haematologists advice was just anecdotal he didn't back it up with any research or anything. I just mentioned I was drinking it and he told me to stop.

[Birgitta-A]

Hi All!
According to the "Warning list" from the support group for patients with low platelets green tea can decrease blood clotting. This is positive for persons that try to avoid arteriosclerosis but negative for us with low platelets.
http://www.pdsa.org/about-itp/warnings.html
Kind regards
Birgitta-A

[Caregive]

Birgitta, what a good read. My husband just had ginger ale, blue berries, greet tea and more. I'll have to balance food needs with having some things less often. Thanks for posting that. Hope you're having a good day. Sunshine here.