Sickle cell disease
Supplements studied for sickle cell disease.
Overview
Zinc (7 studies) has the most evidence for sickle cell disease, with trials suggesting it may reduce pain crises, infections, hospital stays, and transfusion needs—especially in zinc-deficient patients. A prescription glutamine product (Endari) is approved to reduce serious complications, though no SupplementDEX trials are listed.
Vitamin D (1 study) may reduce pain days and improve activity in children with low levels. Riboflavin and Niacin (each 1 study) showed no meaningful clinical benefit. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below.
Effect graph
Relevant supplements
Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.
| Zinc | ★★★★★ | Medium |
| Vitamin D | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | ★★★★★ | Very Low / None |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | ★★★★★ | Very Low / None |
Studies
Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.
4 supplements for , and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
ZincView supplement →
Consider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Taking zinc by mouth may help people with sickle cell disease, especially those who do not get enough zinc.
- Studies show that zinc can help reduce sickle cell pain crises, infections, hospital stays, and the need for blood transfusions.
- It can also support better growth in children and teenagers and improve blood health and antioxidant levels.
- In one study, a low dose (10 mg daily) did not lower infection risk, possibly because the dose was too small.
- In general, zinc seems helpful for those with zinc deficiency, but the best amount of zinc to use is still being studied.
Browse 7 studies
MetaZinc supplements for treating thalassaemia and sickle cell disease2013n=307
A Cochrane review of nine trials found zinc supplementation in thalassemia and sickle cell disease raised serum zinc in sickle cell patients and reduced painful crisis frequency, with limited thalassemia outcome data.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 307
RCTEffect of zinc supplementation on growth and body composition in children with sickle cell disease2002n=42
In 42 prepubertal children with sickle cell disease, 10 mg/day elemental zinc for 12 months increased height, sitting height, knee height, and arm circumference z scores versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 12 months
- Dose
- 10 mg/day
- Population
- Children/adolescents
- Participants
- 42
- Ages
- 4–10
Controlled trialEffect of zinc supplementation on incidence of infections and hospital admissions in sickle cell disease (SCD)1999n=11
In 32 adults with sickle cell disease, 50–75 mg/day zinc for 1–3 years raised lymphocyte zinc, improved IL-2 production, and significantly reduced bacteriologically confirmed infections, hospitalizations, and vaso-occlusive crises.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 3 years
- Dose
- 75 mg/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 11
- Ages
- 1–3
ObservationalPlasma zinc status, growth, and maturation in children with sickle cell disease1998n=104
In 104 children with SS sickle cell disease, 44% had low plasma zinc, which correlated with reduced linear growth, muscle mass, and delayed sexual and skeletal maturation.
- Population
- Children/adolescents
- Participants
- 104
- Ages
- 0.4–18
RCTEfficacy of zinc therapy in prevention of crisis in sickle cell anemia: a double blind, randomized controlled clinical trial1995n=145
In 145 sickle cell anemia patients followed 1.5 years, zinc sulphate 220 mg three times daily reduced mean painful crisis episodes to 2.46 versus 5.29 on placebo and lowered infective episodes.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 1.5 years
- Dose
- 220 mg zinc sulphate 3×/day
- Population
- Sickle cell patients
- Participants
- 145
Zinc supplementation and growth in sickle cell disease1984
In 14- to 18-year-old sickle cell anemia patients, zinc supplementation improved longitudinal growth and body weight; neutrophil zinc levels correlated with height, weight, and serum testosterone.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Children/adolescents
- Ages
- 14–18
Controlled trialOral zinc sulphate in sickle-cell ulcers1970
A clinical study evaluated oral zinc sulfate for treatment of chronic leg ulcers in patients with sickle cell disease.
- Population
- Sickle cell patients
Vitamin DView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- A small study in children with sickle cell disease found that taking vitamin D3 once a week (40,000 to 100,000 IU) for six weeks reduced the number of days they experienced pain and improved their activity levels and overall quality of life for up to six months compared to a placebo.
- Most children in the study had low vitamin D levels.
- It is not clear if vitamin D helps those with normal vitamin D levels.
Browse 1 study
RCTHigh dose vitamin D therapy for chronic pain in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease: results of a randomized double blind pilot study2012
A pilot RCT in children with sickle cell disease found high-dose cholecalciferol (4,000–100,000 IU/week) for 6 months associated with fewer pain days versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 6 months
- Dose
- 4,000–100,000 IU cholecalciferol/week
- Population
- Children/adolescents
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)View supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is not known if taking niacin by mouth helps improve blood fat levels in people with sickle cell disease.
- A small study found that taking up to 1.5 grams of niacin daily for 12 weeks did not improve blood vessel health or raise “good” cholesterol compared to no treatment.
Browse 1 study
RCTEffect of extended-release niacin on serum lipids and on endothelial function in adults with sickle cell anemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels2013n=27
A randomized trial of 27 adults found that 500 mg/day thus, the relatively small changes in HDL-C levels achieved by the dose of niacin-ER used in our study are not associated with improved vascular function in patients with SCD with initially low levels of apoA-I or HDL-C.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Dose
- 500 mg/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 27
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)View supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is not known if taking riboflavin (vitamin B2) helps people with sickle cell disease.
- One small study showed that taking 5 mg twice daily for 8 weeks increased some iron levels in the blood but did not improve overall iron storage or red blood cell counts.
Browse 1 study
Clinical trialClinical trial of riboflavin in sickle cell disease1993n=18
A study of 18 found that 5 mg 2×/day for 8 weeks the total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and serum ferritin (SF) were significantly higher (p < 0.01), but GSH level, haemoglobin and transferrin saturation (TS) were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in SCD patients than in normal subjects.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 8 weeks
- Dose
- 5 mg 2×/day
- Population
- Sickle cell disease patients
- Participants
- 18
Evidence visualised
Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.
| Supplement | DEX | Studies | Meta-analyses | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zinc | ★★★★★72% | 7 | 0 | 70% |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | ★★★★★28% | 1 | 0 | 10% |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | ★★★★★32% | 1 | 0 | 10% |
| Vitamin D | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 10% |