By Joy Stephenson-Laws, JD, Founder

Who could forget Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins as the cannibal in that unforgettable movie, “Silence of the Lambs?” His calm delivery of what has been recognized as perhaps one of the most famous lines in a movie will always be cemented in my brain:

"I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti."

Prior to that movie, I don’t think many people in the US, including myself, had ever heard of  fava beans even though there is evidence that it was one of the first foods cultivated by man. But it is important to know about this bean because it may be both good and dangerous for our health.

Fava bean is also known as broad bean. The scientific name is “Vicia faba,” and it is consumed by millions of people throughout the world. It belongs to the legume family which means it is high in plant-based protein.

Dry fava bean seeds are used in many dishes, and the green immature seeds are eaten as a vegetable. There are also frozen and canned fava beans. Here in the U.S., you can find fava bean flour as a gluten free product in many stores. There are also recipes - especially vegetarian and vegan - which may include fava beans.

It is not surprising that fava beans are sought after because they are nutrient dense. They contain a high concentration of many nutrients that are necessary to keep us healthy. These nutrients include zinc, copper, potassium, selenium, magnesium, iron, fiber, vitamin K and vitamin B6. They are also a cheap source of lean protein.  

There is even some evidence that the proteins found in fava beans may slow the progression of cancer cells in the colon.

But despite the nutritional benefits, fava beans may trigger a severe reaction in the roughly 400 million people worldwide (including my husband) with Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.  

What is G6PD?

G6PD is an essential enzyme that is found inside every cell in our bodies. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), G6PD is a “housekeeping enzyme” that plays a vital role in the proper functioning of the red blood cells.

G6PD deficiency is a genetic disorder and the most common human enzyme defect. It is a condition where the body doesn’t have enough of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, or G6PD, which helps red blood cells (RBCs) function normally. Without enough G6PD to protect the red blood cells, they are prematurely destroyed in a process referred to as ‘hemolysis.’ Medical problems such as hemolytic anemia occur when the  bone marrow does not make enough red blood cells to replace the ones that are being destroyed.

In the United States, black males are usually the most affected - reportedly 1 in 10 African American males are G6PD deficient. 1 in 5 Indians are G6PD deficient and 1 in 5 Thai people are G6PD deficient.

But what do fava beans have to do with all this?

Fava beans may trigger the destruction of red blood cells or cause hemolytic anemia in people with G6PD deficiency. Many people with G6PD deficiency don’t have any symptoms. In other cases, symptoms for those with G6PD deficiency and hemolytic anemia may include back pain, feeling weak or tired more often than usual, headaches, difficulty concentrating or thinking, feeling that your heart is pounding or mild to severe anemia.

Many individuals with G6PD deficiency do not need treatment. However, they should be taught to avoid triggers such as fava beans because, over time, these triggering episodes may lead to chronic anemia and heart, liver and kidney damage. In some cases, acute hemolytic reactions may even require blood transfusions. In rare cases, kidney failure or death may occur.

Examples of ways you can be proactive?

• A blood test (G6PD test) will usually disclose whether you are G6PD deficient. It is that simple. This disorder is not rare and with the incidence of this genetic defect, it is my opinion that those individuals at higher risk such as African-American males and Indians, should be tested. (If it were not for a proactive doctor, Dr. Pauline Jose, my husband might not have been diagnosed. With his appetite for vegan and vegetarian foods, he had bouts of hemolytic anemia and this could have been problematic if it was not caught).
• The need for testing is further compounded by the fact that for those with G6PD deficiency, certain common medications may act as triggers and cause hemolytic anemia. Medications which may trigger an event include antimalarial drugs; Aspirin (high doses); nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); Quinidine; sulfa drugs and certain antibiotics.
• Always talk to a competent healthcare professional or your provider about your diet and medications you are taking so that they can make informed decisions about your health. For example, it is very important to work with your doctor to identify the nutrients that will help your body replace those blood cells that may be prematurely destroyed, such as folic acid and iron (which you may have to get through supplementation).

For more comprehensive information about G6PD deficiency and medications that may act as a trigger, read here and here.There is an exhaustive list of the foods (and certain supplements) to avoid if you are deficient in G6PD. Some of these foods include breath mints, legumes, red wine, soy and certain pre-prepared Chinese foods. The bottom line is that people with G6PD deficiency must strictly avoid things that are likely to trigger an episode.

Now that you know, be proactive!

Enjoy your healthy life!

The pH professional health care team includes recognized experts from a variety of health care and related disciplines, including physicians, attorneys, nutritionists, nurses and certified fitness instructors. This team also includes the members of the pH Medical Advisory Board, which constantly monitors all pH programs, products and services. To learn more about the pH Medical Advisory Board, click here.