Anemia Diet
An Anemia Diet Need Not Be Complicated
An anemia diet is one designed to counteract the effects of a low red blood cell count, caused by a deficiency of one or more of the nutrients your body needs to maintain good health. The body uses these nutrients to produce red blood cells, and to allow the cells to perform their principle function, which is to carry oxygen to all the organs in our body. When our organs are not getting sufficient oxygen, we begin to experience the symptoms of anemia, primarily weakness, tiredness, and a pale complexion.
What an anemia diet will consist of depends of course upon what kind of anemia you are suffering from. In other words, which nutrient, or nutrients, are lacking? Treatment may consist simply of adding foods to the diet containing the needed nutrients, by taking supplements, or in some cases, through a series of injections. The most common types of anemia are iron deficiency anemia, and vitamin deficiency anemia, in which a deficiency in vitamin B12, folic acid, or both, is the cause.
Iron deficiency anemia can occur from a lack of food in the diet containing iron, but is more commonly caused through the loss of blood, due to illness or injury, or use of certain medications. Short term instances of anemia can follow accidents, surgery, menstruation, and childbirth, as well as blood loss due to ulcers, tumors or hemorrhoids. Medications such as ibuprofen, and aspirin, as well as an excessive consumption of alcohol, can also result in an iron deficiency. Abnormalities in the digestive system, or an autoimmune disorder can cause vitamin B12 anemia, and poor eating habits or alcoholic consumption can lead to folic acid deficient anemia. Iron deficient anemia and folic acid deficient anemia can usually be cured through an anemia diet. A vitamin B12 deficiency usually cannot, and may require periodic injections as the means of treatment.
What should your anemia diet look like? It should be rich in vitamin C, as vitamin C helps the body take in iron. Citrus fruits are excellent sources, as are many vegetables. Poultry, fish, red meat and leafy green vegetables are good sources of iron, so a combination of any of these foods with citrus juice, or a citrus desert, will benefit anyone suffering from an iron deficiency. While vitamin B12 anemia cannot usually be cured through dietary means, it can be often be prevented by having meat, including both beef and pork, and dairy products in the diet. Vegetarians are more susceptible to a vitamin B12 deficiency, and should include fortified foods in their diets, such as fortified cereals. A folic acid or folate deficiency, can be treated by increasing the amount of certain vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and the same vegetables considered to be rich sources of iron. Whole grains and cereals generally are rich in folates.
There are foods which work against the absorption of some nutrients by your body. Some teas, coffee, and bran cereals can deplete your iron reserves, or make it more difficult for your body to absorb iron. In cases of severe anemia, iron pills may be prescribed. Iron pills should generally not be taken if anemia is not present, as too much iron will make it difficult for your body to absorb calcium and zinc, elements your body has to have in sufficient quantities. Folic acid supplements, on the other hand, do not seem to carry that kind of a problem with them. When you think anemic diet, think "balanced diet" and you probably won't go wrong.