Find the Right Foods to Treat Anemia

Anemia

Most of the iron in the body is a component of the proteins hemoglobin and myoglobin. Hemoglobin is the oxygen carrier in the red blood cells (RBCs) and myoglobin is the oxygen reservoir in the muscle cells. About 80% of iron is in the blood.

In iron-deficiency anemia, the RBCs contain less hemoglobin and lose their ability to carry oxygen. Therefore, less oxygen is delivered where its needed. The cells then operate with lowered energy. Symptoms include tiredness and apathy.

Eating a healthy diet is always important but when choosing foods to treat anemia, it is important to know what is causing it. It is not always due to low iron levels.

Other Causes of Low Hemoglobin Levels

• Vitamin B6 deficiency - Vitamin B6 is required to make the iron containing portion of the hemoglobin molecule.

• Vitamin E deficiency - Vitamin E can cause anemia by making the red blood cell membranes so fragile that the cells lose their hemoglobin.

• Folacin (also known as folic acid) deficiency - Folacin is used in making new RBCs to replace the old ones as they die.

• Vitamin B12 deficiency - Folacin can not work without vitamin B12.

• Vitamin A deficiency - Vitamin A is involved in making RBCs.

• Copper deficiency - Copper deficiencies are rare but not unknown. Copper helps prevent anemia because it is necessary for the production of hemoglobin.

Foods for Anemia

Iron

Meat, fish, and poultry are excellent sources of iron. Iron in these foods is often attached to heme (the iron-containing part of hemoglobin). Heme iron (found only in animal flesh) is more absorbable than nonheme iron (found in plant foods and animal foods).

Meat, fish, and poultry also contain a factor (“MFP factor”) that promotes the absorption of iron from other foods eaten with them.

Vitamin C increases iron absorption.

Foods (other than meat, fish, and poultry) high in iron include egg yolk, dried beans or peas, green leafy vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, and whole grains.

Foods high in vitamin C include citrus fruits, tomatoes, broccoli, and strawberries.

The following can decrease iron absorption: antacids, tea, coffee, soy protein, wheat bran, fiber.

Other Foods for Anemia

The following are foods high in…

• vitamin B6 - green leafy vegetables, tuna, bananas, celery, and bell peppers.

• vitamin E - green leafy vegetables, sunflower seeds, almonds, papaya, and blueberries.

• folacin - leafy green vegetables, calf’s liver, beets, and beans.

• vitamin B12 - calf’s liver, beef, salmon, eggs, and milk (vitamin B12 is found almost exclusively in animal foods).

• vitamin A - carrots, green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, and apricots.

• copper - calf’s liver, green leafy vegetables, sesame seeds, and summer squash.

Before using foods to treat anemia, you should consult with a health care provider to be properly diagnosed (and to rule out any serious medical condition).

Sources Used

Dr. Ronald Hoffman: Iron: deficiency and toxicity - https://www.drhoffman.com/page.cfm/120

The Ohio State University Medical Center: Foods High in Iron - https://medicalcenter.osu.edu/PatientEd/Materials/PDFDocs/nut-diet/nut-other/foodiron.pdf

WHFoods - https://www.whfoods.com

Photo Credit

Image courtesy of the National Institutes of Health (in the public domain).