People are forwarding chain mails which claim that the juice of papaya leaves can immediately boost platelet count in the body and is a miracle cure for dengue fever.City doctors say it is a complete hoax. Dr Nupur Krishnan, a clinical nutritionist from Kemps Corner, said that people should take such claims with a pinch of salt. She says that even if papaya leaves have nutrients capable of increasing platelet count, the human body might not be capable of absorbing such nutrients.
“People often think that eating leafy vegetables such as spinach and fenugreek will increase haemoglobin levels in blood. But certain acids present in such foods prevents the body from absorbing them,’’ she said.
Doctors say that claims for such treatments are misleading. Dr Pratit Samdani, a general physician, said that since diseases like malaria and dengue are caused by a virus, the platelet count increases when the virus recedes. Papaya leaves have nothing to do with it. “Often patients suffering from malaria drink such juices or place papaya leaves on their body, but it does not have any effect. The claim is untrue and there has been no scientific evidence to prove that such a remedy is effective,’’ he said.
Similarly, a website dedicated to unveiling scams on the Internet has posted that the same claim was made before for pegaga juice in 2005. The latest email is worded exactly like the one that surfaced in 2005. “Pegaga is the Malaysian term for Centella asiatica. The botanical name of papaya is Carica papaya. They are neither the same plant nor are they related,’’ states the website.
Source-DNA
Most Effective Natural Treatment For Increasing Platelet Count
* Supplement your diet with vitamin B12 and folate, or eat foods high in these vitamins. Vitamin B12 and folate are important in the production of blood elements including platelets.
Foods such a spinach, citrus fruits, and dried beans are high in folate, while eggs, milk, cheese, liver, and mutton are high in vitamin B12.
* Drink warm-temperature water. Cold water can slow down your digestive tract, which can impact your body's way to absorb nutrients. Blood cells are made of water and protein, so if you drink more water, you will produce more blood cells.
* Obtain enough sleep and rest. Try to get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night. The rest can help your body to recharge and produce more platelets.
* Ashwagandha - a plant that is used in Ayurvedic practice. It is a powerful adaptogen and this is only plant known today, which can actually increase the platelets count in the blood. I can say that this plant may increase the amount of all blood cells count.
The average lifespan of a platelet is about 10 days. Because of this, in order to keep your platelet level up, you need to partake in these natural remedies frequently.
Before you embark on any of these remedies, be sure to consult with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor you carefully because you may have other preexisting conditions that may be affected by your change in diet or overall behavior. If your condition worsens, you may need immediate medical intervention.
