Effects of Lucerne leaf concentrate supplementation on the nutritional status of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the effect of Lucerne leaf concentrate supplementation on the nutritional status of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was undertaken on 21 patients in the age group of 18‐60 years suffering from myeloid leukemia. At the baseline, data on weight, height, haemoglobin, RBC count, WBC, TLC, platelet count and nutrient intake were collected for all patients. Then they were given 10 gm LC (dark green extract from Lucerne) per day for three months and after that all parameters were assessed again.

Findings

Statistical analysis revealed a significant increase in Hb (p<0.05) in women, while RBC increased significantly (p<0.01) in both males and females. Pre‐ and post‐assessment of diet of the patients revealed that there was a significant increase in the energy, protein, calcium, iron, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin C in female patients, while in male patients the difference was significant for niacin only.

Originality/value

Lucerne supplementation helped in maintaining or bringing about an increase in body weight, Hb, by increasing RBC counts.

Citation

Lodha, A., Verma, K., Malhotra, H., Mathur, B. and Agrawal, A. (2009), "Effects of Lucerne leaf concentrate supplementation on the nutritional status of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 39 No. 1, pp. 46-49. https://doi.org/10.1108/00346650910930815