Durian to Increase Platelet Count
Posted on | August 31, 2010 | No Comments
With the onset of Dengue, where platelet count is said to decrease, it helps a lot to make the patient eat foods that can help increase the platelet count. The DURIAN fruit is said to be very effective in doing this.
Here are some information I have gathered about the Durian Fruit:
Durian fruit is rich in energy, minerals and vitamins just like Banana, avocado and jack fruit. It is made of soft, easily digestible flesh with simple sugars like fructose and sucrose, and some amount of simple fats that replenishes energy and revitalizes the body instantly. It can be used as supplement food in the treatment plan for underweight children, as well as those who lack the nutrients to combat diseases. It contains a relatively high amount of fat among fruits, on the contrary, it is free from cholesterol. It is also rich in dietary fiber, which also makes it a good laxative. The fiber content helps to protect the colon mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time and as well as binding to cancer causing chemicals in the colon. The Durian fruit is a good source of antioxidant vitamin-C (about 33% of RDA). Consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful free radicals. It is an excellent source of many health benefiting B-complex groups of vitamins; a rare feature among fruits, such as niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) and thiamin (vitamin B-1). These vitamins are essential in the sense that body requires them from external sources to replenish. It also contains good amount of minerals like manganese, copper, iron and magnesium. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Copper is required in the production of red blood cells. Iron is required for red blood cell formation.
Fresh durian fruit is a very rich source of potassium. Potassium in an important electrolyte of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. It also contains high levels of essential amino acid, tryptophan (also known as “nature’s sleeping pill”) which in the body metabolizes into serotonin and melatonin; these neuro-chemicals have an important functions like sleep induction and in the treatment of epilepsy.
Sunstar Davao also gave the information below:
The food composition table of Durian per 100 grams edible portion according to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute as of 1997.
Nutrient Quantity Nutrient Requirement per day
Water 59.9g
Energy 163kcal 2,420kcal
Protein 2.0g 67g
Fat 1.2g 15-25g
Carbohydrate 36.1g 50-100g
Crude Fiber 4.3g 25g
Ash 0.8g
Calcium 18 mg 750mg
Phosphorous 56 mg 700mg
Iron 1.1mg 12mg
Thiamin .32mg 1.2mg
Riboflavin .28mg 1.3mg
Niacin 1.1mg 1.6mg
Ascorbic Acid 44mg 75mg(October 21, 2003 issue)
