Anti-Anemia Diet

What is anemia?

Anemia occurs when the body has less than the normal number of red blood cells in the blood or when the red blood cells in the blood do not have enough hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is a protein which gives the red color to the blood

Its main work is to carry oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. Without oxygen organs and tissues cannot work

What are the causes of anemia?

Anemia happens when,

The body loses too much blood (heavy periods, certain diseases and trauma) or

The body has problems making red blood cells or

Red blood cells break down or die faster than the body can replace them with new ones or

More than one of those problems happens at the same time

What are the types of anemia?

Iron deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia

This happens when enough iron is not in the body. Eating low iron foods can also cause iron deficiency anemia

To make hemoglobin the body needs iron. It can occur due to heavy and long periods, child birth, uterine fibroids, ulcers, colon polyps or colon cancer, regular use of aspiring and other drugs for pain, infections, severe injury and surgery

Some people have enough iron in the diet but due to absorption problems due to diseases such as crohn’s disease and celic diseases or because of diet. Also pregnancy can cause IDA

Vitamin deficiency anemia or megaloblastic anemia –

Indicates low levels of vitamin B12 or folate are the most common causes of this anemia

This happens due to lack of vitamin B12 in the body to make red blood cells to keep nervous system function normally

This can happen due to intestinal problems or poor absorption because of an autoimmune disorder

The symptoms are numbness in legs and feet, walking problems, memory loss, and problems in seeing

Folate deficiency anemia

Folate (folic acid) is also needed to make red blood cells. If enough folate is not consumed this anemia happens. It may also occur during the third trimester of pregnancy, when the body needs extra folate

Anemais caused by underlying diseases

Kidney diseases and dialysis, inherited blood disease – sickle cell anemia , thalassemiaa,and aplastic anemia

What are the symptoms of anemia?

Anemia takes some time to develop. In the beginning there may not be any signs or they may be mild.

But as it gets worse the symptoms are fatigue, weakness (which are very common), dizziness, headache, numbness or coldness in hands and feet, low body temperature, pale skin, rapid or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain, irritability and not doing well in general.

All these symptoms can occur because the heart has to work harder to pump more oxygen-rich blood through the body

What is the treatment of anemia?

Dietary changes and dietary supplements, medications, blood transfusion or surgery

What will happen if anemia goes untreated?

May be life threatening if not diagnosed and treated. It can harm the heart and lead to heart attack

How to prevent anemia?

Eat iron rich foods such as liver, legumes and beans, green leafy vegetables such as spinach, red meat (lean only), fish, dried fruits such as raisins, prunes, apricots, tofu

Eat and drink foods that help body to absorb iron like orange, limejuice, straw berries, broccoli or other citrus fruits and vegetables with vitamin C

Do not drink coffee and tea with meals which interferes with iron absorption

Calcium can hurt absorption of iron. If it is hard time getting enough iron makes sure to get the best way to get enough calcium as well

Make balanced food choices. Fad diets and dieting can lead to anemia

What are the food sources for anemia?

Sources of iron – meat(lean mutton and liver), poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, , legumes like beans and soy beans,  spinach and green leafy vegetables or iron fortified cereals, dried fruit

Sources of folate - Folate is a B vitamin found in green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits and juices, bananas, dried beans and peas, legumes, and fortified cereals

Sources of vitamin B6 – meat (chicken, lamb, turkey and pork), fish, vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, yams, broccoli, green peas), peanuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, chick peas, soybeans and other legumes

Sources of vitamin B12 – mutton and liver, fish, poultry, eggs, milk and other dairy products

Sources of vitamin C – citrus fruits like grapes and oranges and juices, red and green pepper, broccoli, melons and berries, musk melon, fresh tomatoes helps increase iron absorption