Sickle Cell Anemia is an inherited form of Anemia, which is a common blood disorder that occurs when the person doesn't have enough red blood cells, which carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.  Like the name indicates, people with Sickle Cell Anemia have sickle-shaped cells instead of regular round cells.  The irregular shaped blood cells can get stuck in small blood vessels, ultimately slowing or stopping oxygen flow throughout the body. 

People with Sickle Cell Anemia will most often experience chest, back, or abdominal pain because those are the areas where sickle cells tend to prevent proper oxygen flow.  Because the immune system of a person with Sickle Cell Anemia is weakened, it is common for him/her to develop other illnesses more easily than the average person.  Common symptoms are:

• Anemia
• Episodes of Pain (in the chest, back, abdomen, or arms)
• Difficulty Breathing
• Swollen Hands and Feet
• Frequent Infections
• Joint Pain and Arthritis
• Blockage of Blood Flow in liver or spleen
• Delayed Growth
• Vision Problems

There is a gene that tells your body to make hemoglobin, the iron-rich compound that gives blood the red color.  People with Sickle Cell Anemia have a mutation in that gene, causing the formation of abnormal cells.  The cells that are produced are stick, misshapen, and rigid.  The Sickle Cell gene is passed down from generation to generation, meaning a mother and father pass on the defected gene to their offspring.  If only one parent has the Sickle Cell gene, the child will produce healthy cells and the sickle cells, but won't necessarily experience any symptoms.  There is one cause:

• Inherited Gene (the child inherits the mutated gene from both parents)

• Maintaining a raw foods, vegan, or vegetarian diet can help people with Sickle Cell Anemia.  Eating green leafy vegetables like spinach, red cabbage, beets, watercress, lentils, alfalfa sprouts, wheatgrass, and parsley are greatly beneficial.  By eating foods that are rich in iron, for example, beans, lentils, or raw nuts and seeds, you can help increase your body's iron supply. 
• If you choose to take herbal supplements, the best ones are chlorophyll and magnesium.  Chlorophyll helps to build and cleanse blood-boosting oxygen levels.  It also helps to rid the body of impurities by cleansing the liver and the intestinal tract.  Magnesium has many functions in the body, one of them being the fact that it helps red blood cells efficiently carry oxygen throughout the body.  If you don't want to eat 
• By avoiding caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, or soda, you can help your body absorb iron.  Additionally it's best to avoid trans fats, fried foods, processed foods, artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, meat, and food dyes because these can infect the body with chemicals; and people with Sickle Cell Anemia are more prone to infections as it is.  
• Water is the number one thing you should drink when you have Sickle Cell Anemia.  Staying hydrated keeps everything flowing smoothly and helps your body function properly.  You can stay hydrated by drinking eight 8oz glasses of water every day.  Additionally, a good rule of thumb is if you drink half your body weight in ounces of water.  If you weigh 150lbs, then you should drink 75oz of water per day.  
• Sleep can be extremely important for people with Sickle Cell Anemia.  Because these people can often feel fatigued, ensuring that the body gets the proper amount of rest can be beneficial.   

• Bok Choy
• Kale
• Spinach 
• Broccoli
• Watercress
• Mustard Greens
• Beet Greens
• Beets
• Green Cabbage
• Swiss Chard 
• Dandelion Greens
• Arugula
• Endive
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Pumpkin & Sesame Seeds
• Pine & Brazil Nuts