People, who have anemia, usually complain of extreme fatigue, irregular heartbeats, dizziness, breathlessness, headache and chest pain. They are unusually pale and have cold hands even in a warm environment.
There is a high number of reasons for developing anemia, from poor diet to genetic mutations. However, in the majority of cases, the problem is about lack of iron and vitamins.
Your body uses iron, folate and vitamin B12 to create healthy red blood cells. If you don’t take enough nutritive elements, your body may cut down the production of these blood components, or generate abnormal cells.
Medical professionals say that it’s completely possible to prevent many cases of anemia, following a balanced diet.
We commonly get iron and vitamin B12 from meat, poultry, eggs, and fish. That’s why strict vegetarians and vegans have much higher chances for being anemic than those, who consume animal-based products.
Actually, there are two types of iron. Heme iron, found in meat, is the most easily absorbed form of this microelement.
Non-heme iron is contained in plant foods and fortified products. Human body finds it a bit more difficult to absorb this type of iron, compared with heme iron.
Daily requirements for iron are individual, depending on the sex, age and health conditions.
Women in childbearing age need more of this element, as they lose blood during menstruation.
It is recommended for pregnant women and those, who plan to conceive, to take folic acid supplements to avoid complications like premature birth.
Liver, milk, red meat, poultry, dairy, and fish are the best sources not only of iron but also of vitamin B12 and folate.
But if you prefer staying off animal foods, it doesn’t mean that you will suffer from iron and vitamin deficiency during the whole life.
Eating more leafy greens, beans, soy milk, nuts and fortified foods like pasta, orange juice and cereals will help you meet your daily needs.
We have some good news for the sweet tooth. Dark chocolate is a tasty source of iron, so having a bite can help you prevent anemia without causing harm to the shape.
Vitamin C was found to improve iron absorption and enhance the immune response. So it’s worth taking more broccoli, strawberries, and oranges to keep nutritional balance in your body.
If you find it hard to get enough iron and vitamin, eating a balanced diet, over-the-counter supplements may be a good option for you. Your doctor may recommend you appropriate pills, depending on the state of your health.
However, for individuals, who can’t absorb nutritional elements because of digestive issues like celiac disease or autoimmune gastritis, injectional medications may be the only way to fill requirements for essential substances.
