Nutrition In Neurofibromatosis (Recklinghausen's Disease)

Neurofibromatosis or the so-called Recklinghausen's diseaseis a disease that belongs to the group of phacomatosis (disorders of the central nervous system). The disease is genetic, transmitted from parent to child or occurs spontaneously at conception. It manifests itself in the form of spots on the skin with body color. There are 7 types of the disease and two of them are due to different causes - type 1 mutation on chromosome 17 and type 2 - mutation on chromosome 22. There is no way to determine how many neurofibromas or where on the body they can develop. They can appear wherever there are nerves - on the face, scalp, chest, and inside the body. Some foods, smoking, caffeine and heat are the reason for stimulating their growth. Consuming certain foods and taking supplements can alleviate the condition.

Useful foods for neurofibromatosis

Some people with neurofibromatosis may be deficient in the protein carnitine. It is important for the breakdown of long-chain fatty acids found in plant foods. Its intake in the form of a food supplement or by obtaining from food sources of animal origin in combination with plant sources will contribute to filling the gaps.

Good plant sources of protein are beans, nuts and whole grains. Eggs, milk and meat are complete animal sources of protein, which should be consumed in combination with plant foods such as vegetables, fruits and useful spices such as curcumin (because they have antitumor properties). It is recommended to take additional amino acids to help the body produce the necessary proteins needed to fight neurofibromatosis.

In the presence of Recklinghausen's disease, adherence to the following conditions is required:

• to consume products that strengthen the immune system, for example: blackcurrants, citrus fruits, cabbage, viburnum fruits (the latter raise blood pressure, so be careful);
• to promptly remove infectious foci of chronic nature - caries, angina, haimoritis (a type of sinusitis);
• to treat dysbacteriosis (they lower the body's immune system);
• in no case do not overeat and do not eat too much fatty food;
• the necessary doses of calcium, lecithin, zinc, vitamins and minerals must enter the body.

In neurofibromatosis to emphasize the consumption of:

• sour milk products (milk, kefir, cottage cheese, sour cream);
• seafood and fish dishes;
• meat (chicken is the most useful, it helps to regenerate the skin, thanks to protein; beef is a source of zinc and vitamin B);
• liver;
• green tea (has an antioxidant effect, protects the body from free radicals).

Dangerous and harmful foods in neurofibromatosis:

• smoked, fatty and salty dishes;
• products containing preservatives and additives with E-coding;
• alcohol;
• year;
• cafe and caffeine and drinks.

All these products lead to intoxication of the body, disrupt the nutrition of subcutaneous cells, destroy the skin.

Feeding babies with Recklinghausen's disease

Most babies with neurofibromatosis show few symptoms at birth. Breast milk naturally contains large amounts of carnitine and other proteins important for the development of the baby. Therefore, the baby should be breastfed for as long as possible while the mother is breastfeeding. After weaning, it is important to provide good sources of protein to minimize the behavioral and physical symptoms of the disease.

Protein and amino acid deficiency in neurofibromatosis

Half of the cells in the body still produce the beneficial neurofibromin properly. As some of the healthy cells mutate with age or are exposed to toxins, neurofibromin decreases and the symptoms of the disease usually worsen. Therefore, it is important to supply enough amino acids so that other healthy cells can perform their vital function - the production of neurofibromin. The body combines pairs of amino acids to build the extremely long protein - neurofibromin (contains 2818 pairs of amino acids). If a type of amino acid is not present, the whole process is doomed, so it is extremely important and necessary to get all the amino acids.

People with neurofibromatosis need vital macronutrients - proteins, fats and carbohydrates, sourced from a variety of sources and in balanced amounts. It is also necessary to take vitamins and minerals.