What Anemia Is and How Diet Helps in Recovery?

Anemia is a condition when there is a decreased number of red blood cells in the body and the person lacks sufficient healthy hemoglobin. This condition can make a person extremely weak. According to a recent study, 51% of Indian women are suffering from anemia issues. Not just the women but the men and the kids also face such serious nutritional challenges in our country. The best way to treat this condition is to look after a perfect diet that is enriched with nutrients. It is beneficial to take proper guidance from health experts for overall health improvement.

What is Anemia all about?

Anemia is a very common disease due to blood loss and the destruction of hemoglobin in the body. The Red Blood Cells can be lost through the excess of blood loss in the form of menstruation, inflammation of the stomach, use of anti-inflammatory drugs, etc. This might result in feeling tired, weak, dizzy and short of breath. In India, the symptoms of anemia are higher, with around 50% of women having low hemoglobin levels. Women suffering from anemia during the reproductive age can be critical for both the mother and the child as well. Thus, it becomes important to keep a check on what you eat and how much you eat to maintain a physically strong body.

Symptoms of Anemia

• Extreme exhaustion and loss of energy from the body.
• Rapidly increasing heartbeats.
• Short of breath and excessive headache.
• Loss in concentration
• Feeling of dizziness
• A person suffering from anemia becomes pale.
• Excessive cramps in legs
• You find it difficult to sleep
• Your body becomes stiff, especially your arms and legs
• Also, if a child suffers from anemia after birth, she/he might suffer from delayed growth.

What are the Causes of Anemia?

There are various factors causing anemia. Among women, heavy menstruation might lead to excess blood loss which ultimately leads to anemia. Also, deficiency of iron from the diet might cause severe anemia. The absence of folate or Vitamin B-12 from the diet also develops the risk of having anemia. Bleeding in the stomach and the intestines can also cause anemia.

Food that might help in recovering from Anemia

If a person is suffering from anemia, then it becomes necessary to make changes in the diet and lifestyle to reduce its risk. Food rich in iron and other vitamins is essential in contributing to the production of red blood cells. An anemic patient generally requires 150 to 200 milligrams of iron daily. So, it is advised to such patients to take some iron supplements under the guidance of a good doctor or a nutritionist who knows the best for that particular problem.

Here is the list of some food items that you should definitely include in your diet if you are suffering from anemia –

• Egg Yolks
• Fish Poultry
• Pork
• Prune juice
• Dried fruits such as raisins, apricots, and peaches
• Nuts and seeds like almonds, baked beans, legumes, etc.
• Whole grain bread and pasta
• Iron-fortified cereals
• Green leafy vegetables like spinach and other greens
• Fruits like oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and other citrus fruits
• Vitamin C and some iron supplements