Vitamins and Minerals: Are These Safe for G6pD Defiecient People?

People with G6pD deficiency (also known as Favism) have special dietary needs. They cannot ingest certain kind of foods and enzymes. Moreover, most patients are wondering if they are allowed to take vitamin or mineral supplements.

If the potency of the vitamins and minerals are within the safe dose, then, yes, these are safe for a G6pD deficient person. Although some claims that such substances can be harmful to those who are deficient of G6pD enzymes, there is no clinical evidence that this is true. According to experts, when taken as directed, vitamins and mineral supplements have no adverse effects in people with this special condition.

Vitamin C in particular can have possible side effects to people with Favism, if the vitamin is taken in high dosages. This vitamin may cause erythrocyte hemolysis, or rupturing of the red blood cells, in adults with G6pD deficiency. Nevertheless, hemolysis will not occur if the right dose of Vitamin C is taken and the considered “very high dose” is mopre than 6 grams a day.

Vitamin K, in form of the water-soluble Vitamin K3, may also pose possible problems when taken in high doses. However, Vitamin K1 has no adverse side effects at any dose, and regardless if the person is deficient of G6pD enzyme or not.

On the other hand, taking vitamin E can be advantageous to people with this condition. A maximum dose of 800IU can help reduce the tendency of red blood cell hemolization in people with G6pD deficiency.

In conclusion, knowing the right vitamins to take and taking them moderately can give you benefits without risking your health. Keep in mind that it is always best to consult your doctor before taking any vitamin and mineral supplement.

G6pD Deficiency Test

It is not easy to detect G6pD deficiency on a baby using your naked eye, but with the proper tests, you will be able to determine if you or your baby has G6pD deficiency. Almost all physicians know how to test a person for favism, and he is only required to draw some blood from the person to be tested.

G6PD Deficiency Symptom Triggers

Children who have G6pD Deficiency show symptoms not until their red blood cells get exposed to what you call “triggers”.

These triggers could be:

How Common is G6pD Deficiency?

About 10% of world population or around 600 million people are G6pD deficient. However, research shows that the most affected are people with African, Asian, Middle Easter and Mediterranean decent.

What is G6pD Deficiency?

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase or G6pD deficiency is a hereditary disorder that affects the body’s red blood cells.