Anemia or iron poor blood is a condition where there are not enough healthy red blood cells within the body to carry adequate amounts of oxygen into the tissues. All our red blood cells contains an iron rich protein which gives it its red colour. Hemoglobin is responsible for the transport of oxygen from the lungs to other areas of the body.
Symptoms
If you loose a lot of red blood cells, destroy them before they are replaced or create cells that are sterile, you may wind up experiencing symptoms of anemia. Symptoms may include fatigue, chest pain, angina, shortness of breath, irritability, dizziness, light headedness, rapid heartbeat, numbness or coldness in extremities, headaches or pale skin.
Anemia may result from inherited disorders, nutritional issues (for example, iron or vitamin deficiency) infections, some sorts of cancer, exposure to drugs or toxins. The truth is there are over 400 different forms of anemianonetheless, in this guide we’ll concentrate on the most common forms, iron deficiency anemia, B12 deficiency and folate deficiency.
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the quantity of iron in the body is too low, thus affecting hemoglobin production. It is most often found where there is ongoing blood loss, such as in women with heavy menstrual periods, as well as in people who suffer from ailments such as bleeding disorders, gastroenteritis, hemorrhoids, colon polyps or colon cancer. Other causes may include problems with absorption, in which the body is not able to absorb iron from the foods we eat, or eating a diet low in iron.
Besides iron, the body requires vitamin B12 and folic acid to make healthy red blood cells. A diet lacking in these nutrients are vulnerable to anemia also.
B12 Anemia
There are a couple of reasons why someone may suffer from B12 anemia. They include the inability of the body to absorb vitamin B12, like those with autoimmune ailments that affect absorption of nutrients. The person may also suffer with Pernicious Anemia in which the body stops producing a chemical called “intrinsic factor”, which is required to absorb B12 from the diet. Another cause a lot people have heard of is a vegetarian diet which excludes eggs, dairy products, meat and fish – all of which are sources of vitamin B12.
Folate Deficiency
Much like cause to B12 Anemia is folate deficiency. Folate, or folic acid is found in foods like leafy green vegetables. Over time, cases of folate deficiency in the US have declined, since lots of the grain product and cereals we consume are fortified with folic acid. During pregnancy, however, increased levels of folic acid are required to prevent defects of the brain and spiral cord of the fetus.
Thankfully, there are a range of natural and alternative health remedies you can attempt to help restore health, healing and wholeness in your life.
Recommendations For Wellness
In addressing anemia it’s necessary to understand its cause, so speak with your doctor and ask him/her to conduct a blood test to assess your health and enable you to ascertain which sort of anemia you might have.
- Excessive iron can be toxic to the body, so don’t take iron supplements without first talking to your medical care provider.
- Eat a well balanced diet including a variety of whole grains and fresh produce.
- Avoid drinking coffee, tea, beer or cola drinks with your meals. They could significantly lower iron absorption. Instead, drink citrus juices or supplement with vitamin C. Vitamin C has been demonstrated to help support the body’s ability to absorb iron.
- Take a high quality vitamin and mineral supplement to support any nutrient deficiencies which may be found within the body.
- Herbs like dong quai, dandelion, barley greens and alfalfa are great sources of minerals and vitamins.
- The herb yellow dock is a natural and natural source of iron as is blackstrap molasses.
- Panax ginseng may be used to counteract the fatigue experience by people who suffer from anemia.
Conclusion
If your anemia is associated with a B12 deficiency or folic acid deficiency, nutritional supplement with a complex B vitamin. Folic acid requires that the catalysts vitamins B12 and B6 to perform its functions effectively.
