Abuja – Mr. Denis Shatima, medical consultant at the National Hospital, Abuja, has advised sickle cell anaemia patients to consume more ascorbic acid.
Shatima gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
He said that ascorbic acid was very vital to the health enhancement of sickle cell anaemia patients.
The consultant described the disease as the most common form of low red blood cells.
“Sickle cell disease is a serious disorder in which the body makes sickle-shaped red blood cells, which means that the red blood cells are shaped like a crescent.
“The red blood cells are designed to carry oxygen through the body tissues and when there is insufficient ascorbic acid in the system, the red blood cells are likely not to function well,’’ he explained.
Shatima pointed out that patients with sickle cell anaemia were highly prone to having bleeding gums and severe bone crisis.
He said that taking more of ascorbic acid or vitamin C would help reduce the severe health crisis the patients might be experiencing.
The expert also noted that ascorbic acid was readily available with the numerous fruit juice sold in public places and in so many other fruits.
Besides, he advised that ascorbic acid was not only needed by patients living with sickle cell anaemia, but for everybody.
“Apart from sickle cell anaemia patients, every individual would need ascorbic acid because it had been proven to improve so many health conditions.
“Ascorbic acid is also used for handling glaucoma, preventing gallbladder disease, dental cavities, constipation, boosting the immune system.
“Asthma, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, infertility, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), autism, collagen disorders, back pain, cancer, and so many others.
“Additional uses include improving physical endurance and slowing aging, as well as counteracting the side effects of cortisone and related drugs, and aiding drug withdrawal in addiction,” Shatima said.