Healthy Diet Plans >> Health Issues and Diet >> Anaemia >> Diet

Anaemia
Anaemia Diet
Diet is of the utmost importance in the treatment of anaemia. Refined foods like white bread, polished
rice, sugar and desserts rob the body of the much-needed iron. Iron should always be taken in its natural
organic form in food, as the use of inorganic iron can prove hazardous. It may cause destruction of
protective vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids, serious liver damage, miscarriage during pregnancy
and delayed or premature births.

The diet should be predominantly alkaline.


The emphasis should be on raw fruits and vegetables, which are rich in iron. Iron rich vegetables are
spinach, green onions, squash, carrots, radishes, beets, celery, yams, tomatoes and potatoes (with
jackets). Fruits which are rich in iron are bananas, apples, dark grape, apricots, plums, raisins and
strawberries.


Bananas are particularly beneficial as they also contain, besides easily assailable iron folic acid and b 12
both of which are extremely useful in the treatment of anemia.

Other iron-rich foods are whole wheat, brown rice, beans, soyabeans, sunflower seeds, crude blackstrap
molasses, eggs and honey. Honey is also rich in copper, which helps in iron absorption.


The diet should also be adequate in proteins of high biological value such as milk, homemade cottage
cheese and eggs.

Vitamin B-12 is a must for preventing or curing anemia. This vitamin is usually found in animal protein
and especially in organic meats like kidney and liver. A heavy meat diet is often associated with a high
haemoglobin and high red cell count but it has its disadvantages.


One cause of anaemia is intestinal putrefaction, which is primarily brought on by a high meat diet.
Moreover all meats are becoming increasingly dangerous due to widespread diseases in the animals,
which are slaughtered. There are however other equally good sources of vitamin b 12 such as dairy
products

Like milk, eggs, cheese and peanuts, wheat germ and soyabean also contain some B 12. Vegetarians
should include adequate amount of milk, milk products and eggs in their diet. For prevention of
anaemia it is essential to take the entire b complex range which includes B-12 as well as the natural
foods mentioned above. Eating lacto-ovo products which are complete proteins containing vitamin 8-
12 is good insurance against the disease. A liberal intake of ascorbic acid is necessary to facilitate
absorption of iron. At least two helpings of citrus fruits and other ascorbic acid rich foods should be
taken daily. Ention must be made of beets, which are extremely important in curing anaemia. Beet juice
contains potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulphur, iodine, iron, copper, carbohydrates, protein, fat,
vitamins, B2, niacin, b6 C and vitamin p. With its high iron content beet juice regenerates and
reactivates the red blood cells and supplies the body with fresh oxygen. According to dr. Fritz keitel of
Germany, "the juice of red beet strengthens the body's powers of resistance and has proved to be an
excellent remedy for anemia, especially for children and teenagers, where other blood forming
remedies have failed."

The anaemic person should commence the dietary treatment by an exclusive fresh fruit diet for about
five days. During this period, he should take three meals of fresh juicy fruits at five-hourly interval. This
may be followed by fruit and milk diet for about 15 days. In this regimen, the meals are exactly the same
as for all-fruit diet, but with milk added to each fruit meal. The patient may begin with two pints the first
day and increase by half a pint daily up to four or five pints a day, after the fruit and milk diet, the
patient may gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet based on three basic food groups, namely
seeds, nuts and grains vegetables and fruits.


TREATMENT CHART FOR ANAEMIA:

A - DIET


I. An all-fruit diet for five days. Take three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits at five-hourly intervals and use
warm water enema during this period.


II. Fruit and milk diet for further five days, adding milk to each fruit meal.


III. Thereafter, adopt the following diet: -


1. Upon arising:

25 black raisins soaked overnight in water along with water in which they are soaked and the water kept
overnight in a copper vessel.


2. Breakfast:

Fresh fruit, a glass of milk sweetened with honey and some nuts, especially almonds.


3. Lunch:

A bowl of freshly prepared steamed vegetables, two or three whole wheat wheat tortilla, butter and a
glass of buttermilk.


4. Mid-afternoon:

A glass of carrot or apple juice


5. Dinner:

A large bowl of fresh green vegetable salad and alfalfa or green gram bean sprouts.

Note:

An exclusive fruit diet for three days, followed by fruit skimmed milk diet for further three days should
be repeated at regular intervals. It is advisable to avoid meats, sugar, white flour, tea, coffee, refined
and processed foods, soft drinks, fried foods, condiments and pickles.


B - OTHER MEASURES:

1. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water.


2. Cold water bath twice daily, cold friction and wet abdomen pack once daily.


3. Massage once a week.


4. Brisk walks, yogic asanas, breathing exercises, fresh air and sunbath.


5. Adequate rest and sleep.

Anaemia Diet
A drop in the hemoglobin in blood or a drop in the red blood cell count for a given volume of blood leads
to a blood disorder is the definition of anaemia. It is usually diagnosed by conducting a routine blood
test. When it comes to anaemia, causes could include any one of the following conditions: poor
nutrition, blood loss, infections, certain diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, and certain
medications such as penicillin and acetaminophen. Very often anaemia is a symptom that indicates a
disease in the body. There are different types of anaemia, and anaemia treatments and cures vary
depending on the underlying causes and the severity of the anaemic condition, which as mentioned
earlier, is caused mainly when dietary requirements are not met and through infections and blood loss.
Many types of anaemia can be prevented or treated with a well-designed anemia diet plan; an anemic
diet is designed to increase the hemoglobin levels in the blood.


To initiate the treatment of anaemia, one must know what causes it. Anaemia treatments aim to
increase the amount of oxygen that the blood can carry by increasing the red blood cell count or raising
the level of hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying iron-rich protein found in red
blood cells. Among the most common types are anaemia caused by iron deficiency and vitamin B12
deficiency. If an individual is not getting enough iron in his/her diet, then anemia dietary treatment
recommends changes in the diet to include more dark green leafy vegetables, red meat, pork, seafood,
tofu, dried beans and lentils, and dried fruits like prunes, raisins and apricots. These are all excellent
sources of iron for the body. Breads and cereals fortified with iron may be added to the diet daily. Along
with such an iron-rich diet for anaemia, doctors may prescribe vitamin C to help the body absorb the
iron from these products. Iron supplements may be given to those who can absorb the iron from their
food or if the anaemic symptoms are severe.


When it is caused by internal bleeding, heavy menstrual flow, or tumors, anaemia treatments may vary
from prescribing antibiotics for gastric ulcers or hormones to control menstrual flow or surgery to
remove tumors. Blood transfusions may be required when the anaemia is caused by the loss of blood in
an accident or due to a surgery or due to internal bleeding. Diet for anemia treatment should be
carefully planned to avoid foods that block the absorption of iron into the body. Drinks such as coffee,
tea, and foods such as bran, egg whites, soy, and milk protein are known to diminish the amount of iron
absorbed by the body.


Anaemia in pregnancy is not uncommon, and anaemia diets containing food fortified with iron may be a
good treatment option for anaemia during pregnancy as women and growing children have a higher
requirement of iron. Vegetarians and vegans may also be anaemic because they do not eat red meat.
Heme iron from animal sources is more easily absorbed by the body than the non-heme iron from leafy
vegetables and nuts. Infants undergoing growth spurts may be anaemic because they do not consume
enough iron rich food to keep up with the demands of a growing body. Women who are nursing also
need more than double the normal amount of iron required by other adults since they are their breast
milk is the source of iron for their growing baby too.


Anaemia treatment guidelines would include the implementation of a proper anaemia diet. Anaemia
diets should have a combination of foods rich in iron, vitamin C and B12, and folic acid so that the
absorption of iron from the food is maximized. Snacks should include nuts and whole grain bread
sandwiches with turkey or chicken. Salads at every meal should include iron-rich vegetables like spinach,
tomatoes, beetroots, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, red and green bell peppers, etc. Cooked beans and
lentils, sardines, pork, liver, and eggs, along with dairy products like cheese, should constitute the bulk
of major meals like lunch and dinner. Fruits such as apples, melons, and raisins should be combined with
citrus fruits like oranges or tangerines to enhance the absorption of iron in the body. Anemia treatment
diets should also include juices that help the body absorb iron from the food and at the same time
prevent constipation. Constipation is a common problem faced by those who take iron supplements for
anaemia. Combining beet juice with apple juice and honey or eating a banana coated with honey is an
excellent way of ensuring you get the iron you need and do not get constipated in the process. Tomato
juice and apple juice may be combined too to give your system an iron boost. Infants who are anaemic
may be fed the juice of currants that have been soaked overnight in water.


Anaemia diets for the elderly help them cope with the fatigue and muscle weakness that are caused by
anaemia and old age. Shortness of breath, cold hands and feet, brittle nails and light headedness are all
anaemia symptoms, often dismissed as conditions resulting from advancing age. Anaemia may also be
the result of alcoholism or chronic kidney diseases. Red blood cells in the blood are made with the help
of a hormone made by the kidneys. When the kidneys are diseased, the production of this hormone
goes down, resulting in the bone marrow producing fewer red blood cells into the blood. Folate
deficiency resulting in anaemia could also be due to alcohol abuse. Alcohol interferes with the
metabolism of folate in the liver, leading eventually to anaemia. Treatment for anaemia that results
from a chronic disease requires the treatment of the underlying cause as well as a proper diet that is
specific to the disease.


Whatever the causes, treatment for anaemia starts with special anaemia diets and supplements to
compensate for the deficiency of iron, folate, and vitamin B12 in the diet. Cooking in iron pots and
skillets is also recommended to increase the iron content of food cooked in them. It should be
remembered that nutritional anaemia caused by nutrient deficiencies is easily curable, whereas non-
nutritional anaemia caused by genetic disorders such as sickle cell disease and changes in the shape of
red blood cells need medical advice and care for management. Lastly, iron supplements need to be
taken under medical supervision, after consultation with a doctor and only when blood tests warrant it.
Excess of iron in the body may be detrimental to health.

Submitted on December 3, 2010
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Iron is one of the basic requirements of most life forms on earth. In humans, iron is a vital component of
blood that aids in the production of red blood cells. Iron needs to be maintained at a healthy level in the
blood. Iron is contained both in cells and in hemoglobin itself where it is essential. A lack of iron will
reduce the hemoglobin count and reduce the oxygen level that the blood is capable of carrying.


This in turn can be serious as patients of severe anemia can even die of the effects of hypoxia. Iron
deficiency is the leading cause for anemia in humans. Apart from a traumatic event like an accident
which causes blood loss, iron deficiency is usually associated with a lack of iron in the patients diet.

Iron can be found in many natural foods and it is essential that one eats a good balance of iron rich
foods in order to maintain the iron levels in the blood.


Typically a very tiny amount of iron is extracted from the food we digest and most of the iron will be
passed out. It is important to know that we usually have around 4 grams of iron in our bodies. Dietary
iron is available through many food sources.


Fortunately vegetarian and non vegetarian sources exist for iron.

Among vegetarian sources, you can access many leafy vegetables that contain iron. Potatoes (with skin),
spinach, turnips, and even peas contain some iron in them. Several cereals such as bran and oatmeal
contain iron.


Most lentils contain iron and are a good source for proteins and other vitamins and minerals. Because
iron is bonded with protein in the bloodstream, you may try legumes as a good source of both iron and
protein.

Non vegetarian sources for iron tend to contain more iron per serving. Sea food like clams and oysters
are rich in iron, especially steamed clams. Chicken and beef livers are also good sources of iron although
some people do not find this part of the body to be particularly palatable. Beef itself has some iron
content and is good source of iron.
Excessively high levels of iron are now considered to be risky when it comes to the development of
chronic diseases. Unregulated iron supplements are the main cause of this, particularly in older people.
It is always better to seek iron from a healthy and nutritious diet as the diet will also contain other
required components like dietary fiber, various vitamins and various minerals.

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Diet For Iron Deficiency Anemia

There are many types of anemia, but the most common cause for anemia is iron deficiency. In turn iron
deficiency can be caused due to chronic blood loss during menstruation or blood loss due to excessive
bleeding in the gut due to gastritis, ulcers, hemorrhoids or worm infection in children. Iron requirements
are usually increased during pregnancy, lactation, children with rapid growth spurts and adolescents.
Iron deficiency anemia can even occur when these requirements are not met.

Common symptoms of chronic iron deficiency anemia include weakness, tiredness, and shortness of
breath or fast heartbeat. To treat any anemia including iron deficiency anemia it is important to know
the underlining cause and possible try and treat the cause to treat anemia. Diet rich in food with iron
and iron supplementations can also make a large difference in the treatment.

Points to remember for an iron enriched diet and iron supplementation


Iron from the food source is best absorbed in the body from meat especially organ meats like liver and
kidney as these are the main organs where iron is metabolized. Other good sources include fish, egg
yolk, cheese and commercially available fortified breakfast cereals which are enriched with easily
absorbable iron.
To facilitate iron absorption, vitamin C plays an important role. Along with your iron fortified breakfast
cereal or egg or stir-fried liver try to incorporate a glass of orange juice. This will really help in iron
absorption.
Folic acid found in green leafy vegetables is also essential along with iron to prevent anemia. Try and
include at least one serving of green leaf vegetable in a day, if necessary folic acid supplementation
could also be taken.
Iron supplementations in the form of iron sulfate tablets are also of great help. The dosage should be
adjusted depending on the severity of the deficiency with consent of a specialist. As iron absorption is
better on an empty stomach, it is often recommended to take iron tablets in between meals. However if
you get any side effects from these tablets like fullness, bloating or even stomach pain, then it would be
wiser to take it along with the meals as it would help decrease these side effects.
Points to avoid

Without consulting a dietician or a specialist do not switch over to a vegetarian diet.
Iron enriched cocktails generally contain very less iron and are heavy on the pockets, these can be
avoided.
Drugs such as cimetidine should not be taken simultaneously with iron supplementation as they may
inhibit iron absorption.
Remember you did not get iron deficiency over night; it was over a period of time. So dont expect to fix
it over night too. Continue the supplementations and iron rich diet as it would at least take 4-6 months
to replenish the stores and correct anemia.



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