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I was thinking about maybe switching to a mostly plant based diet. Has anyone found this to be beneficial with platelet counts?

I wouldn't say it had had much effect on my counts but I feel my general well being has improved. Much less indigestion, better sleep, improved cooking skills.

I haven't gone completely vegan, I still have some dairy, eggs, meat- I am about 90% plants, no fast food or processed food, mostly organic, almost no sugar. That change has helped my digestion/elimination, lost weight, more energy. I feel overall lighter and better mood, more hopeful, less sluggish and dragging. It has helped my other auto-immune disorders that cause fatigue, aches and joint pain- lupus/Sjogrens + inflammatory arthritis. I noticed a big difference when I got off wheat. In 24 hours my knee arthritis pain went away, my eczema cleared up, bloating after eating went away- overall less aches and pain without wheat and sugar. I'm on and off caffeine- I do better without it.

But whatever changes I've made in my diet, my platelet count has stayed the same. I would love to find a diet that would increase my platelets, I'm hopeful that I can find something. Plant based appeals to me for my own health and the health of the planet. If you haven't read the book, "Wish By Spirit" you might like it. It was written by Joan Young the founder of PDSA website. She healed her ITP with diet changes and alternative methods after many years of devastating medical treatments.

Thank you all for the excellent feedback. Day 10 of eating Vegan and I must say it’s not bad.

My platelets were in the 30's and I changed to a complete plant based diet 10 years ago and my platelets increased to 70's and have been stable at that level since then. My doctor believes that it must have been the reason as a plant based diet is an anti-inflammatory diet. 

A plant based diet has made no difference to my counts 

Haven't tried it and won't - although I do watch the sat fat.  I don't believe there is any sure "cure" to bring counts up.   Possibly your count went up to 70 and has been stable because it went up to 70 and stabilized on its own.  I'm happy for you that your count has stabilized!

I've been vegetarian for years and still managed to get ITP. I do eat a bit of cheese though but can't imagine it's the cheese to blame.

I’m looking for a nutritionist that is familiar with ITP, any suggestions? (Wasn’t sure if this was the best place to post, so please let me know if I should repost, thanks!) 

You’ll have some people and Drs tell you that what you eat doesn’t matter but I believe that what we put in our bodies matters. Certain foods (especially processed) cause inflammation. We know that inflammation is not good. So eating less of the foods that cause inflammation could be beneficial. Also, I posted in the other discussion that there is some evidence looking at vitamin d association with autoimmune disorder.

Thanks so much for your response! Yeah, I’m trying to find specific information, like salicylic levels in foods and whether it’s a concern (or even more specifically is it found in the skin or inside of cucumbers?? Is it enough so that cukes should be avoided, or is it ok?). I also realize that everyone has their own thoughts and approaches and there’s tons of info. But what works for certain autoimmune issues isn’t applicable for ITP - lots in the Wahls Protocol doesn’t work, or at least the easy stuff like fish high in Omega 3 and 6, onions, garlic, turmeric etc. Also trying to not spend insane amounts of energy trying to figure things out, but wish there was less conflicting info. 

Most western medicine doctors are going to suggest medication and treatments of that sort because that’s what they are taught and they aren’t always allowed to tell patients to switch up their diets vs prescribing pharmaceuticals. Research Coimbra protocol. Also, eating healthy organic and unprocessed foods will be good for you regardless. Even if that’s not what raises your platelets substantially it still has so many other benefits. Look at the dramatic rise in autoimmune issues in the last several decades compared to what it used to be when people are minimally processed Whole Foods and used to spend time in the sun. 

Thanks, have been eating/growing organically for years, honestly doing all the “right” stuff, meditating, energy work, etc etc. Past 2 1/2 years of caretaking mom with dementia through Covid and then managing her estate (and all that entails) when she passed just sent my body in to a tailspin. Will read more about Coimbra protocol. 

I’m sorry to hear that. High stress times and events are also linked to recurrence of ITP I believe. Chronic stress has such a huge impact on immune health and how your body regulates.

Has anyone tried reducing lectins in their diet?

When I found out I had ITP three months ago, I also realized that I had diabetes, so I started a low carb, mostly plant based diet. I have lost weight, and brought my A1C levels down to normal and I am feeling better, but my platelet count has still been up and down. So the plant based diet was clearly not a cure for ITP. Currently at 70. I am really interested in learning more about the gut microbiome and its connections to ITP and auto immunity.

Hi Chad,

Your inquiry about lectins piqued my curiosity.  According to the article in the link below, unless you're consuming raw legumes or tons of slow cooked legumes, lectins don't appear to be problematic.  

www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/anti-nutrients/lectins/

-Derek