Content

• Steps

Anemia is a medical condition where the number of red blood cells is below normal levels. Anemia prevents the body from carrying oxygen to the tissues and makes you feel weak and tired. There are many types of anemia, including iron deficiency anemia or sickle cell anemia, each with different types of treatment. Anyone can get anemia, but women, vegans, people with poor diets, and people with chronic illnesses are at higher risk of anemia. Depending on the type of anemia, you can prevent, or even cure, your disease through diet or supplements.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Recognize the Symptoms and Risks of Anemia

1. 

   Know if you are at risk. Iron and vitamin deficiency anemia are the two most common forms of anemia and are caused by a lack of iron or vitamin B12 and folate in the body. Most of us can suffer from iron deficiency anemia or vitamin deficiency. Therefore, being aware of your risk can help prevent you from getting sick. The following conditions can cause iron, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency and lead to anemia:
   • Vegans do not eat meat or who have a poor diet
   • Losing too much blood during menstruation, due to surgery or other trauma
   • Stomach ulcers
   • Cancer, especially intestinal cancer
   • Polyp or other diseases, such as Crohn's disease (inflammatory bowel disease) or Celiac disease, are in the gastrointestinal tract
   • Use aspirin or NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for a long time
   • Pregnant
   • The diet doesn't get enough iron, vitamin B12 or folate

2. 

   
   
   Determine the symptoms of anemia. Signs of anemia do not appear immediately, or may be mild. Be careful with the following symptoms:
   • Tired
   • Weak
   • Dizziness
   • Headache
   • Numbness or coldness in hands and feet
   • Low body temperature
   • Pale skin
   • Fast or irregular heartbeat
   • Shortness of breath
   • Chest tightness
   • Irritability
   advertisement

Method 2 of 3: Avoid Iron or Vitamin Deficiency Anemia

1. 

   
   
   Treatment of anemia. In some cases, you may have a medical condition that requires treatment, not just changes to your diet and nutrition. If you have a medical condition that leads to anemia, get treatment instead of trying to prevent it yourself.
   • See your doctor to discuss treatment options, including nutritional therapy.

2. 

   
   
   Take iron supplements. Consider taking an iron supplement (over the counter) to make sure you get enough iron. Iron supplements can be taken alone or as part of a multivitamin to reduce the risk of anemia.
   • About 8-18 mg of iron is needed per day to ensure iron levels are at normal levels. Consider taking more if you have anemia or are concerned that you might have anemia.
   • Women need higher iron intake (up to 15-18 mg) due to menstruation. Pregnant women need at least 27 mg of iron, and nursing women need 9-10 mg.
   • Iron supplements can be purchased at most pharmacies and health food stores.

3. 

   Eat an iron-rich diet. Make sure you get enough iron from nutritious foods. Eating iron-rich foods can help prevent anemia.
   • Meat and shellfish are good sources of iron. Red meats, such as lean beef or beef liver, and shellfish such as clams, oysters, and shrimp are great options.
   • Legumes like lentils and green beans are high in iron.
   • Green leafy vegetables like spinach (spinach), kale and rainbow kale contain a lot of iron.
   • Consider eating iron-fortified cereals for breakfast or a snack to get more iron in your diet.
   • All iron-rich meat products are also high in vitamin B12, which helps prevent anemia.

4. 

   Increase intake of vitamin C and folate. Vitamin C and folate help the body absorb iron more efficiently, Combining more foods containing vitamin C and folate or taking supplements will help reduce the risk of anemia.
   • Foods like peppers, kale, broccoli, citrus fruits, strawberries, pineapple, and spinach are high in vitamin C.
   • You can get folate from similar foods, including citrus fruits and dark green leafy vegetables. In addition, you can get more folate from bananas, folate fortified breads and cereals, and beans.
   • Consider taking vitamin C and folate supplements or a multivitamin to help your body absorb these nutrients properly. Supplementing with food is better but in some cases this is not possible.

5. 

   Consume foods containing vitamin B12. Should consume foods containing vitamin B12 (vitamins naturally found in animal and soy products) Getting enough vitamin B12 not only helps prevent anemia but also helps the body absorb iron more efficiently. Some or all of the following foods should be incorporated into your diet:
   • Fish: salmon, salmon, tuna
   • Shellfish: clams and oysters
   • Egg
   • Dairy products: cheese and yogurt
   • Fortified cereals with vitamin B12
   • Soy products: soy milk, edamame and tofu

6. 

   Take vitamin B12 and folate supplements. If you are having trouble getting enough vitamin B12 or folate with food, you should consider taking a supplement or injecting medicine. This will help you get enough vitamin B12 and prevent anemia.
   • It is difficult to get enough vitamin B12 using supplements alone. Therefore. you should drink in conjunction with a diet rich in vitamin B12.
   • Your body needs 0.4-2.8 mcg of vitamin B12 per day, depending on your age and whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
   • Vitamin B12 supplements can be purchased at most pharmacies and health food stores.
   • Folate, a B vitamin, is often combined with vitamin B12 in the same dietary supplement. You can find folate in the form of folate alone or as part of a multivitamin.
   • Adults need 400 mcg of folate. Pregnant and lactating women need more. Dosage for each age is also different.

7. 

   Take a prescription vitamin B12 supplement. Your doctor may prescribe vitamin B12 gel or injections for you. Both types require a prescription from your doctor, so make an appointment for a specific discussion.
   • This is a good choice for people who have problems getting their vitamin B12 with over-the-counter foods or supplements or who have a severe vitamin B12 deficiency.

8. 

   Cook with a cast iron pot or pan. There is evidence that using cast iron cookware can help increase iron intake. Therefore, you should consider using cast iron pans to increase your iron intake through your diet.
   • A small amount of iron is absorbed into food during processing, creating a healthy dish, but the amount of iron is not too large and does not affect the taste of the dish. This is also a helpful tip if you don't like red meat.
   • The durable cast iron pan can last a lifetime, so it's worth buying it.

9. 

   Examination of medicines. Certain medicines can make you more susceptible to anemia. If the medication you are taking increases your risk of anemia, ask your doctor if there are alternatives. The following medications can lead to anemia:
   • Cephalosporins
   • Dapsone
   • Levodopa
   • Levofloxacin
   • Methyldopa
   • Nitrofurantoin
   • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), especially if taken regularly
   • Penicillin and its derivative of Penicillin
   • Phenazopyridine (pyridium)
   • Quinidine
   advertisement

Method 3 of 3: Coping with Other Anemia

1. 

   Understand that some anemia cannot be treated with diet. Unfortunately, some types of anemia cannot be prevented or treated with diet. If you have an anemia or a blood sugar disease that prevents your body from making red blood cells, you will not be able to prevent anemia on your own. It is best to get medical attention to understand and treat the disease.
   • Non-preventable anemia can be congenital or caused by many other conditions, including: chronic illness, bone marrow disease, sickle cell anemia or non-renewable anemia and thalassemia.

2. 

   Anemia is treated with the treatment of the underlying condition. Certain medical conditions prevent the body from making the necessary amount of red blood cells. The most common disease is kidney disease. If you have a disease that makes your body susceptible to anemia, consult your doctor for appropriate treatment instructions.
   • If you have anemia caused by an intestinal disease such as Crohn's disease or Celiac disease, you need to talk to your doctor to plan the right treatment.
   • If you have anemia or anemia caused by cancer, you will need a bone marrow transplant to help your body make more red blood cells.
   • If you have hemolytic anemia, you need to avoid certain medications and take immunosuppressants to increase your red blood cell count.
   • Eating more iron-rich foods and avoiding traumatic situations can help.

3. 

   Get treatment for anemia caused by blood sugar disease. In some cases, anemia is inherited in the form of a blood sugar disease. Therefore, you need to find out if you or a family member has a blood sugar problem to get the right treatment and control it. The following blood sugar diseases can cause anemia:
   • The infected person lacks sickle-shaped red blood cells, making them more susceptible to getting stuck in the blood vessels and blocking blood circulation. Sickle cell anemia can be very serious and painful if left untreated.
   • Thalassemia causes the body to produce less hemoglobin than usual and leads to anemia.
   • Anemia that does not regenerate causes the body to stop making new blood cells, including red blood cells.This can be caused by external factors such as treatment for certain cancers, exposure to toxic chemicals, medications, infections, and other causes.
   advertisement