5/12/2019 G6PD Deficiency + 4 Natural Ways to Manage Symptoms - Dr.

Axe

 Fact Checked

G6PD De ciency + 4 Natural Ways to

Manage Symptoms
By Jillian Levy, CHHC
August 18, 2017

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Worldwide,
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it’s estimated that around 400 million people have the genetic
G6PD Deficiency + 4 Natural Ways to Manage Symptoms - Dr. Axe

disorder called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase de ciency. G6PD

de ciency almost always occurs in males and is most likely to affect
people from parts of Africa, Asia, the Mediterranean, or the Middle East. In
the U.S., about 1 in every 10 African-American males has the defective gene
that causes G6PD de ciency. (1)

While many people with G6PD de ciency don’t have any symptoms at all
and live a healthy life, some have more severe cases. When they do occur,
symptoms can include those tied to anemia, such as weakness and
fatigue. By avoiding certain problematic foods and drugs — in addition to
supporting the immune system in other ways — people with G6PD can
greatly help to lower their risk for complications.

What Is G6PD De ciency?

G6PDs stands for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. G6PD
de ciency is a genetic disorder that affects an erythrocyte (red blood cell)
enzyme and may contribute to anemia. The severe form of the de ciency
is called favism, which causes more symptoms and poses more risks than
other types of G6PD de ciency.

Those with G6PD de ciency can experience increased hemolysis, or

destruction of red blood cells, due to a defect in the glucose-6-phosphate
enzyme. This interferes with the ability of red blood cells to bring oxygen
throughout the body to tissues, causing a variety of symptoms related to
anemia — such as weakness, fatigue and others.

There are more than 400 genetic variants of the G6PD de ciency that have
been identi ed. But just because someone inherits a genetic variant does
not mean that they will become ill and deal with symptoms. It’s possible to

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be a “healthy carrier” and overall
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have a good quality of life. According to
G6PD Deficiency + 4 Natural Ways to Manage Symptoms - Dr. Axe

the G6PD De ciency Organization website:

With G-6-PD de ciency you can have a perfectly normal life, provided
you avoid the drugs and foodstuffs included in our To Avoid list. It is
therefore of great importance to learn whether you, or your baby,
suffer from the de ciency, so that you can watch your diet and drug
intake, and warn your physician or pediatrician. (2)

Common Signs and Symptoms of G6PD De ciency

Symptoms and signs of G6PD de ciency (most of which are due to

hemolytic anemia) can include: (3)

Paleness or yellowing of the skin (jaundice). In newborns with severe

jaundice, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase de ciency is one of
the most common causes.
Yellowing of the whites of the eyes
Sudden rise in body temperature
Darker than normal urine
Fatigue and weakness
Shortness of breath, along with heavy, fast breathing
Rapid heart rate
Confusion and dif culty concentrating
Higher risk for enlarged spleen

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As mentioned above, people who have G6PD de ciency develop hemolytic

anemia, which, according to the U.S. Department of Health &
Human Service’s Genetics Home Reference page, occurs when “red blood
cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them.” (4)  Anemia is
de ned as “a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy
red blood cells.” (5) There are a number of different types of anemia
depending on what’s causing it. When someone has hemolytic anemia
their red blood cells, which are produced inside bone marrow, are
destroyed more rapidly than usual. In people without anemia, this is
normally about 120 days after they are produced.

Hemolytic anemia in people with G6PD de ciency is usually due to

reactions caused by a bacterial or viral infection. It can also be due to side
effects caused by taking certain medications or drugs, such as antibiotics
or medications used to treat malaria.

G6PD De ciency Causes and Risk Factors

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Glucose-6-phosphate
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dehydrogenase de ciency is a genetic disorder —
G6PD Deficiency + 4 Natural Ways to Manage Symptoms - Dr. Axe

meaning it’s passed down from parents to their offspring — that is

characterized by an enzyme defect due to a mutated G6PD gene. The
G6PD gene provides instructions for making the glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase enzyme, which helps protect red blood cells from damage
due to reactive oxygen species (a type of free radical) and destruction.
The same enzyme also helps the body to process and use glucose from
carbohydrates. It’s needed to help turn carbohydrates obtained from the
person’s diet into usable energy, which is why the de ciency and anemia
are linked with symptoms like fatigue.

Due to the inheritance pattern of G6PD, the condition is much more likely to
affect males compared to females. G6PD is inherited in an “X-linked
recessive pattern,” meaning the gene associated with the condition is
located on the X chromosome, of which males have only one copy.
Because males have only one X chromosome, but females have two, a
male has a higher chance of developing G6PD. This is because he only has
to inherit one copy of the defective gene from either parent, instead of two.
Sons who have mothers who were either G6PD de cient, or were “healthy
carriers” of the mutation (the mom does not display symptoms), are most
likely to inherit the condition themselves. (6)

Symptoms of hemolytic anemia are due to decreased levels of red blood

cells. Risk factors for developing hemolytic anemia symptoms related to
G6PD de ciency include:

Suffering from an illness, including a virus or infection

Taking certain drugs/medications that cause negative reactions (listed
below), contributing to red blood cells being destroyed faster than the
body can replace them.
Ingesting certain foods, especially fava beans (and others listed
below). Some foods are capable of causing a negative reaction in

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 people with G6PD de ciency,
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but not every person with the de ciency
G6PD Deficiency + 4 Natural Ways to Manage Symptoms - Dr. Axe

will have these reactions.

Conventional Treatments for G6PD De ciency

If G6PD de ciency runs in your family, you can determine whether or not
you carry the gene by having a blood test done. In order to determine the
speci c variant of the gene mutation that you have, you can visit a
specialized genetic lab. People of African or Mediterranean heritage are
most likely to be carriers or to have the mutation, including those of Italian,
Greek, Arabic, and Sephardic Jewish backgrounds. Once the de ciency is
con rmed, it’s important to avoid consumption of foods or drugs that can
cause a serious reaction, called a hemolytic crisis.

For most people who do not have a severe case of G6PD de ciency, simply
avoiding problematic drugs, ingredients and foods will be enough to
prevent any serious symptoms. When symptoms do occur, the symptoms
will usually disappear within several weeks once the trigger is removed. As
the body naturally makes new red blood cells and recovers, the anemia
symptoms will improve and no further treatment should be needed.

Hemolytic crisis is an emergency situation and needs to be treated right

away. When an emergency hemolytic crisis does occur, the patient likely
will need to be treated at the hospital, sometimes via blood transfusion.
 This helps to slow down the rate at which red blood cells are destroyed
(hemolysis).

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4 Natural Treatments for G6PD De ciency Symptoms

1. Avoid Taking Certain Medications

The best way to avoid symptoms due to G6PD de ciency is to limit

exposure to the triggers. It’s very important for people with G6PD de ciency
to avoid taking a number of “high risk”medications, which can potentially
cause severe reactions. A complete list of “Unsafe To Take” drugs can be
found here on the G6PD De ciency Organization’s website. Some of the
drugs mentioned on the “avoid” list include:

Anti-malarial drugs
Aspirin
A number of NSAIDs pain killers (non-steroidal anti-in ammatory
drugs)
Sulfa drugs and products containing sul tes (which is not the same as
sulphates/sulfates). Any drug that has “sulf” in the name should be
treated with precaution.
Quinine, or other drugs with “quin” in the name.
Brinzolamide
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 Furazolidone
5/12/2019 G6PD Deficiency + 4 Natural Ways to Manage Symptoms - Dr. Axe

Dimercaprol
Sulfadimidine

Although it’s not a drug, the chemical celled naphthalene, which is found in
mothballs and moth crystals, should also be avoided.

Whenever someone with G6PD de ciency is visiting a doctor, they should

alert them of their condition in order to avoid being prescribed a risky
medication. It’s recommended that people with G6PD de ciency give their
health care providers a copy of the “Unsafe To Take” list and discuss any
vitamins or supplements with their doctor as well.

2. Avoid Consuming Problematic Foods & Drinks

Because there are more than 400 types of mutations of the G6PD
de ciency, each person with the condition can react differently to eating
certain foods. Not everyone with the de ciency will experience reactions to
foods like fava beans or  other legumes, but others with a more severe
case will. Avoid these foods:

Fava beans and sometimes all other legumes too

Blueberries
All sources of soy (tofu, miso, tempeh)
Foods high in vitamin C, as well as vitamin C supplements. These
include: citrus fruits, and drinks that contain synthetic vitamin C
Menthol
Any food with arti cial blue dyes
Tonic water

3. Tips for Parents To Keep Their Children Safe

When a child has G6PD de ciency, parents should alert the child’s school,
friends and others who he may eat around in order to prevent reactions to
problematic foods. It’s possible for children to eat something “prohibited”
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without
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realizing it when they are not under their parents’ supervision (such
G6PD Deficiency + 4 Natural Ways to Manage Symptoms - Dr. Axe

as at school, camp, a friend’s house, sports game, etc.). Your child can
carry a copy of the “G6PD Avoid List” in their school bag in order to have a
list on hand at all times to share with other adults.

4. Help Manage Symptoms With a Healthy Diet & Lifestyle

Eating a healthy diet and making other lifestyle changes won’t treat or cure
G6PD de ciency, considering it’s an inherited condition, but it can help to
lower symptoms and contribute to a good quality of life. Below are some
tips for dealing with hemolytic anemia symptoms:

Eat an anti-in ammatory diet — Avoid eating highly processed foods

that can contain triggering dyes, additives and dif cult-to-digest
ingredients. Help to nourish your spleen (which is at risk for becoming
enlarged) by consuming lots of bitter foods, probiotic foods like yogurt
or ke r, all types of leafy green veggies, squash, pumpkin, acorn
squash, butternut squash, spaghetti squash and other green or bright
orange-colored foods. Get enough protein, iron and healthy fats from
foods like grass-fed beef, organ meats, wild-caught sh, eggs, poultry,
coconut and olive oil. Avoid legumes and beans unless you know for
sure they are safe.
Get enough sleep and rest — Due to fatigue and weakness, more rest
and sleep may be necessary. Try to get eight hours or more of sleep
every night.
Manage stress — Stress can weaken the immune system and make
symptoms of hemolytic anemia worse. Take steps to keep stress in
check by doing things like gentle exercise, spending time outdoors,
meditation, yoga, reading, prayer or journaling.

Precautions Regarding G6PH De ciency & Hemolytic Crisis

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Some
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people with G6PD deG6PDciency may experience a hemolytic crisis, in
Deficiency + 4 Natural Ways to Manage Symptoms - Dr. Axe

which symptoms come on suddenly and may be severe. If you experience

signs like a rapid change in body temperature, heart rate, skin color and
breathing then see a doctor right away or visit the emergency room. Your
health care provider will likely review your symptoms and ask about any
recent drugs or problematic foods you’ve eaten. Get help right away if you
suspect a food or drug has triggered symptoms in order to prevent
complications from occurring.

Final Thoughts on G6PD De ciency

 G6PD de ciency is an inherited condition that affects red blood cells
and can cause hemolytic anemia.
Symptoms are due to hemolytic anemia (or in severe cases hemolytic
crisis), which can include jaundice, weakness, fatigue and rapid
breathing or heart rate.
Treatments for G6PD de ciency include avoiding triggering ingredients,
drugs and foods, or rarely hospitalization and blood transfusion in
severe cases.

Read Next: 23andMe: Should You Get This New Genetic Test?

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