Condition
Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder in which red blood cells turn rigid and sickle-shaped, blocking blood flow and causing pain crises and organ damage. Evidence is moderate for folic acid, zinc and vitamin D, and studies of the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid found oxidative stress markers went down. That finding is limited, though, drawn from four small studies with about 60 people.
Sources: PMID 20586147; PMID 20162509
- Supplements studied
- 2
- Graded outcomes
- 2
- Trials
- 2
- People studied
- 87
Evidence by supplement
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxidative Stress Biomarkers Small Decrease | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 4 studies | 60 people | ||
Studies that measured oxidative stress biomarkers | ||||||
| Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile No effect | NoneNo effect | 1 study | 60 people | |||
Studies that measured anti-oxidant enzyme profile | ||||||
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sickle Cell Symptoms | Improves (the measure goes down) | 1 study | 27 people | |||
Studies that measured sickle cell symptoms | ||||||
Key findings
- Oxidative Stress BiomarkersImproves (the measure goes down)
- Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile
The Sickle Cell Disease Supportive Care protocol
2 primary supplements · 5 supporting supplements
- Folic Acid1 mg daily
- Zinc25–50 mg daily
Studies cited
6 studies from PubMed
- Effect of Inhaled Cannabis for Pain in Adults With Sickle Cell Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial
- Restoration of blood total glutathione status and lymphocyte function following alpha-lipoic acid supplementation in patients with HIV infection
- Assessment of the antioxidant effectiveness of alpha-lipoic acid in healthy men exposed to muscle-damaging exercise
- Alpha-lipoic acid modifies oxidative stress parameters in sickle cell trait subjects and sickle cell patients
- Alpha-lipoic acid improves endothelial dysfunction in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism
- Complementary therapy in diabetic patients with chronic complications: a pilot study