Diet for Anemia Patients

 

While there are many different types of anemia, iron deficiency anemia is the most common type and is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world. This type of anemia is associated with symptoms such as poor temperature regulation, fatigue and difficulty concentrating. Anemia can be diagnosed by a simple blood test and treatment with either iron supplementation or a diet rich in iron is then instituted.

Significance

Anemia is a medical problem in which the blood does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Since red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body, this can cause generalized fatigue and result in the person tiring much more quickly than usual. Anemia can be caused by blood loss, blood destruction or by a nutritional deficiency of iron. Iron helps the body produce hemoglobin, which is a substance that allows the blood to carry oxygen. For people who suffer from a nutritional deficiency of iron, a diet that is rich in iron is particularly helpful. As an adult, you should have 10 mg in your diet each day, and pregnant or nursing women require even greater amounts.

Heme Iron

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, iron in foods is either in a heme or non-heme form. A diet rich in foods that contain heme iron is the best way to increase or maintain iron stores because this type of iron is well absorbed. Clams, oysters and organ meats such as liver and kidney contain the largest amounts of heme iron. Foods such as beef, pork, poultry and fish also contain significant amounts of heme iron. Additionally, meats and fish help the body absorb non-heme iron.

Non-Heme Iron

Non-heme iron is not as well absorbed as heme iron but is still thought to be an important dietary source of iron. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, approximately 60 percent of iron in meat is non-heme. Certain vegetables, such as dried beans, peas, iron-fortified cereal and bread, nuts, seeds and dark green leafy vegetables are all sources of non-heme iron. Eggs and dairy products are other sources of this variety of iron.

Absorption of Iron

In addition to direct iron sources, some foods help to absorb iron, particularly the non-heme variety. Foods that are rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, melon, strawberries, broccoli, cabbage and tomatoes may help with iron absorption though these are thought to be more useful in maintaining healthy iron stores than in correcting stores in people who are already deficient. Riboflavin, or vitamin B2, is found in dairy products and fortified cereal and may also help with iron absorption.

Warning

There are many causes of anemia, and the symptoms of anemia can be similar to the symptoms of other medical disorders. For this reason, it is important to see your doctor for a formal evaluation and diagnosis before instituting a diet for anemia. Once the diet is initiated, close monitoring is used to ensure that the iron stores are repleted adequately and that iron supplementation with pills or with intravenous iron is not required.