Anaemia today could be referred to as a female disease. In India, women are more susceptible to anaemia due to malnourishment and early marriage. It is usually prevalent among pregnant women, young children and adolescents.
Iron deficiency anaemia is common among Indian women and many suffer from this. It is a health issue which often goes undiagnosed and untreated. Expectant mothers often suffer from this condition as the blood volume increases as much as 50% which causes dilution of RBC.
Reasons as to why one could be anaemic
When the body stops making RBCs and there is more chance of infection.
Lack of vitamin B12 or folic acid. This when the RBC is not able to carry oxygen properly to the lungs and other parts.
Inherited blood diseases (sickle cell Anaemia and Thalassemia), certain disease can effect the formation of RBC (during kidney failure)
When the body is not able to absorb B12 from the food.
Anaemia symptoms:
Fatigue
Irritable
Breathlessness
Dizziness
Pale skin and nails
Iron plays a major role in the formation of the red blood cells. Iron deficiency can be taken care by following iron rich diet or supplements. Heme is a chemical which helps in the absorption of iron in the body and is present only in meat and fish, non-heme are plants and lentils.
Foods for Anaemia:
Some iron rich food containing heme iron
Clams, pork liver, oysters, chicken liver, beef beef liver, shrimp, sardines and turkey.
Some iron rich food containing non-heme iron
Enriched breakfast cereal, cooked beans and lentils, pumpkin seeds, canned beans, baked potato with skin and canned asparagus. The absorption of non-heme iron can be improved when a source of heme iron is consumed in the same meal. Few foods which interfere with the absorption of iron and could be avoided are tea, coffee, calcium, vitamin E, antacids, over the counter drugs and milk products. Supplements and vitamins are advised to be taken with the consent of an expert specially in the case of pregnancy.
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