Ask the Professionals
Updated: December 14, 2011
We have a number of professionals in leadership positions at Alpha-1 Canada. There is, of course, our Medical Advisory Board (MAB) made up of Dr. Ken Chapman, Dr. Jean Bourbeau, Dr. Simon Ling and Dr. Diane Cox; all leading researchers and clinicians specializing in Alpha-1.
Our Board of Directors are also experts in their fields, whether that be business, healthcare, care giving or being informed patients. Connie O'Connor is a nurse at SickKids in Toronto and Beth Haliburton is a registered dietician at SickKids as well.
If you would like to ask one of them a question please e-mail jim.mundy@alpha1canada.ca and he'll pass on your question and get you the answer and then post it here.
Please note that we do not have access to your medical history or test results so only general information questions can be answered here. For questions about your personal health please consult your physician.
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Blood/Plasma Donations
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I have Alpha-1, is it safe for me to continue being a regular blood plasma donor?
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| A: |
Dr. Kenneth R. Chapman M.D., M.Sc., FRCPC, FACP, FCCP: I can see no harm to either patient or the blood supply if you continue to be a regular blood donor. |
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Listen to Dr. Chapman’s podcast, How do I get the best treatment for my (lung involved) Alpha-1? |
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Nutrition
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It has been my experience that drinking milk, ice cream coincides with phlegm and constant clearing of my throat. Is there a good soy or rice milk that you would suggest or alternative that has the same nutrient base for bones and health maintenance? |
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Beth Haliburton, BSc, BASc, RD: I did a quick literature search on dairy intake and phlegm product, there isn't any evidence that phlegm production actually increases from dairy intake. An older study actually weighed people's phlegm on and off dairy and found no difference. That being said, lots of people feel that they have increase throat clearing and congestion with dairy intake, so if a person feels better during a respiratory flare not taking dairy, that's totally fine.
There are lots of great milk alternatives out there, it is best to use a product that is fortified with calcium and vitamin D. Most commercially available products are fortified so this isn't usually hard to find. Soy is nutritionally a better choice than rice in that soy has protein content similar to milk, whereas rice milk is really just sweetened water, with a little rice extract and added vitamins.
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Listen to Beth’s podcast, General Healthy Eating and Nutrition in Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. |
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| Q: |
When you were discussing food overload or exacerbation and decreased appetite, could one not blend their portion of food to get the ingredients and have easier digestion at that time of stress? |
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| A: |
There are 2 parts to digestion - the mechanical breakdown (from chewing and the stomach kneading food) and the chemical breakdown (all the digestive juices that work on food. During times of stress, the body doesn't really digest food any differently, a person's motivation to is what changes. Theoretically chewing your food accomplishes the same thing as blending your food.
Blending food is certainly an option if early satiety is an issue because drinking calories can be easier to do than eating them, however it’s not something that I would typically suggest. Mostly because ensuring that someone has a nutritionally complete blended diet, containing all food groups, can be tricky. Blended or pureed foods can be less palatable than 'whole food' (especially if meat and vegetables are included) which may actually work to further decrease a person’s interest in eating.
The most important thing is to ensure that every bite taken has maximum calories. Milkshakes, smoothies and nutritional supplement drinks (i.e. Ensure) can be helpful in maintaining weight in time of reduced appetite, but are best if they are a part of a regular diet instead of a sole source nutrition.
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Listen to Beth’s podcast, General Healthy Eating and Nutrition in Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. |
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