She seems to boost Popeye's platelets, too!
Posted on 09/04/2023 10:03:28 AM PDT by ConservativeMind
Aside from transfusions, there currently is no way to boost people's platelet counts, leaving them at risk for uncontrolled bleeding. Could something as simple as a dietary change raise platelet counts in people with low levels, such as cancer patients receiving chemotherapy?
New science suggests the answer might be yes. A study led by Maria Barrachina, Ph.D. found they could raise platelet counts in mice by feeding them polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) like those found in the Mediterranean diet.
In contrast, mice fed a diet high in saturated fatty acids had decreased platelet counts.
"We were honestly surprised at how profound the effects were," says Machlus, whose lab focuses on studying platelets and their precursor cells, megakaryocytes, and ways to get the body to increase platelet production.
But equally interesting is the apparent reason for the dietary effect.
"We found that PUFAs are enriched in megakaryocytes, especially right before they begin making platelets," says Machlus. "We think they provide the fluidity necessary for the membrane to move and reshape."
In culture, the megakaryocytes with higher amounts of PUFAs in their membrane made more platelets. When the cells were instead supplied with saturated fats as their lipid source, platelet production declined.
The researchers also identified one of the receptors on megakaryocytes that's responsible for taking up PUFAs from blood: CD36.
Serendipitously, the researchers were able to connect the dots to humans. Through a colleague in the U.K., they identified a family in which several members had a mutation in the CD36 gene. Those affected had low platelet counts and, in the mother's case, bleeding episodes.
While Machlus thinks it may be worth encouraging patients with thrombocytopenia to consume more olive oil to increase PUFA levels, she recognizes that a drug treatment may be more practical.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Olive oil has a very tiny amount of Omega-3 fat (linolenic acid), with all the rest of its polyunsaturated far being Omega-6 (linoleic acid). You can get a ton of Omega-6 from soy, corn, canola, and other common oils. Canola has a fair amount of this same form of Omega-3 (ALA).
This is something meant to help those with low platelets. My guess is that most everyone here is fine with their platelets. Being able to raise just platelets through a simple dietary intervention is pretty impressive.
My problem is too many platelets.
Platelets increase with iron therapy, too.
Bkmk
the very best fat for a healthy life is good old fashioned tallow from grass fed cattle. have been using it for DECADES and can it by the quart every few months. makes the most flavorful fries and fried chicken you can imagine! vegi fats cannot compare.
Beef tallow and lard are my go to. Olive oil is ok.
The good cholesterols are good and the bad numbers are low. YMMV.
Agree. Except that red meat tends to make my prostate balloon.
No thanks to olive oil, tastes like some sort of mechanical fluid to me.
Yes, I only cook with EVOO, lots of veggies, fish, lean chicken.
LDL, 70, HDL the good stuff, 80
Of course I limit red meat and animal fats and do mostly the whole fresh foods Med plan.
Lost 100 lbs over last 2 years starting with keto, and kept if off, since.
5-11, #170 My h.s. wt, lol just turned 68
You are probably buying the wrong olive oil then.
I’ve tried more than one brand. Happily, there are plenty of other options.
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