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Someone who is anaemic has too little haemoglobin in their red blood cells. Haemoglobin is the iron-containing blood pigment that transport oxygen from the lungs to the cells, and carbon dioxide from the cells to the lungs. You might think that someone who is anaemic would look pale, but mild anaemia doesn’t cause a change in the skin.

You can raise the content of acidic foods, such as tomato sauce , by cooking them in iron pans. Some of iron leaches out.

Anaemia is the most common blood disorders, with the majority of cases caused by iron deficiency . iron- deficiency anaemia is usually triggered by the need for extra haemoglobin that occurs because of rapid growth or blood loss. Without sufficient iron , the body can’t manufacture enough haemoglobin. In their fertile years. , women lose iron during menstruation , so they need proportionately more iron-containing foods than men. It may be possible to cure iron-deficiency anaemia by changing your diet.

Most cases of anaemia are caused by a lack of sufficient iron in the diet and /or failure to absorb iron during digestion . however, there are a number of other causes of anaemia.

• Megaloblastic anaemia is caused by a lack of vit B12 or of folic acid. This form sometimes occurs during pregnancy.
• Pernicious anaemia results from a lack instrinsic factor , a substance necessary for vitamin B12 absorption. People with blood type A are the most susceptible .
• Aplastic anaemia results from reduced or absent red cell production caused by a damaged or inactive bone marrow.
• Inherited anaemias have differing causes. Thalassaemia , from faulty haemoglobin production, occurs in people of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern or Southeast Asian origin. Sickle cell anaemia , from abnormally shaped red cells , is mainly found in people of African descent; it usually starts in childhood.
• Haemolytic anaemia is caused by the premature breakdown of red blood cells, which may be brought on by drugs or infection.

Any anaemia that leads to a significant lack of haemoglobin can trigger fatigue, inertia and headaches. If the anaemia is very severe , physical activity provokes dizziness, breathless, chest pasin (angina) and palpitation . iron –deficiency anaemia can make the toungue and corners of the mouth sore, the nails dry , thin and brittle, and in serious cases, the complextion pallid.

Your risk of severe iron-deficiency anaemia is relatively low if you are in good health and eat a healthy diet. However , if you have been losing blood-for example , from heavy periods over many months , untreated haemorrhoids, or bleeding in the digestive, perhaps , by ulcerative colitis or cancer of the stomach or colon) - you need an especially iron-rich diet.

• Enhance your meals with liver, lean red meat, fish, eg yolks, dried fruits, and blackstrao molasses,(soy product :tempe)
• Eat plenty of onions , garlic , beans , peas, nuts seeds, green leafy vegetables, and herbs (such as watercress, parsley, chives, nettles, corriender and dandelion leaves.)
• Consume foods high in vitamin C, which boost iron absorption. For example, have a glass of orange juice with your meals.
• Whole grain are a good source of iron , but they also contain phytates, which hinder iron absorption, so eat whole grains separately from other iron-rich foods.
• Limit consumption of spinach and rhubarb; their oxalic acid also reduces iron absorption.
• Eat foods that contain copper, which assists iron absorption .These include cheese, egg yolks, seafood, liver, whole grains, green vegetables, apricots, cherries and dried figs.
• Avoid tea, coffee, cocoa, cola and wine at mealtimes , since the tannins in these drinks block iron absoption from food.

Eat plenty of foods that contain iron, copper, vitamin C and /or folic acid. These include dark green vegetables , cheese , seafood and eggs.

Sometime anaemic people make too little stomach acid and so don’t absorb iron as well as they should . carbohydrates may temporarily lower your stomach acid level. To improve iron absorption , therefore , avoid eating high-carbohydrate foods (such as bread , pasta, sugar and rice) in the same meal as iron-rich , hugh protein foods (such as meat, fish and eggs).Protein requires a good level of stomach acid for optimum digestion and iron absoption.

Iron supplements should be taken only under medical supervision, as too much iron can be dangerous. The following measures , in addition to those described under Prevention , may be helpful for iron –deficiency anaemia:

• Consider spirulina supplements, which are rich in minerals and trace elements.
• Take a daily dose of homeopathic remedy Ferrum phosphoricum.
• Try teas or tinctures of nettle, which contains iron , and of dandelion or burdock, both of which may aid in absorbing iron.
• If you feel tired, drink teas or tinctures made from rosemary, thyme or liquorice.

Caution, for safety precautions.

Pregnancy can bring about both iron-deficiency anaemia and folic acid-deficiency megaloblastic anaemia . try to prevent these by eating foods rich in the following nutrients: vitamins A,B6,C,E, folic acid, pantothenic acid, flavonoids iron, manganese, zinc and essential fatty acids . take any supplement your doctor recommends.

If you suspect you have anemia, when for regular checkups if you’re under treatment of anaemia.

Get help right away if : you short of breath

See also,

FATIGUE, MENSTRUAL PROBLEMS.

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