Treating anemia with food

 

Can anemia be treated with food?

Anemia occurs when the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells and there are many types of anemia with iron deficiency anemia being the most common type.

   This type of anemia can be treated with iron supplements that should be taken only after consulting a doctor, in addition to eating iron-rich foods, and a lack of folic acid and vitamin B12 can affect the body's ability to form red blood cells. .  ; An adequate nutritional plan for anemia should include:

•    Iron rich foods.

•    Foods rich in vitamin B and vitamin C.

• Foods that can improve the body's absorption of iron.

• Avoid foods that can interfere with iron absorption.

Useful foods for anemia

As mentioned above, the proper nutritional plan for people with anemia includes eating sources of iron and other vitamins necessary for the formation of hemoglobin and red blood cells, as well as foods that help the body better absorb iron.  Good foods for anemia include:

iron-rich foods

Iron-rich foods include beef and other meats, beans, lentils, iron-fortified breakfast cereals, dark green leafy vegetables, and dried fruit.

 Foods rich in vitamin C

Foods rich in vitamin C help increase the absorption of iron in the body. These foods include: citrus fruits and their juices, bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, watermelon, and strawberries.

 Foods rich in folic acid

Among the foods rich in folic acid or what is known as folic acid; Dark green leafy vegetables. Like spinach and broccoli, as well as asparagus, beans, peas, lentils, bananas, oranges, and their juice.

 Foods rich in vitamin B12

 Foods rich in vitamin B12 include meats, poultry, and offal such as liver, fish, shellfish, eggs, cereals, some fortified breakfast cereals, and some yeast. 

 For more information on foods that are beneficial for anemia, you can read the article What is a good food for anemic patients?

Foods that are recommended to be avoided for patients with anemia

Drinking coffee or tea with meals can significantly reduce the absorption of iron in the body, so it is recommended to avoid drinking it before or one hour after a meal, and it is also recommended to avoid taking antacids with meals, which can reduce absorption of iron. the body.   In addition to this, there are some foods that can interfere with the absorption of iron by the body, such as:

•    Milk and some dairy products.

• All beans.

• Foods that contain tannin such as: grapes, corn and millet.

•    Foods rich in gluten, such as: pasta and other products made from wheat, barley, rye or oats.

General tips to help improve anemia

In addition to the foods mentioned above that are helpful in improving anemia, and the foods that are recommended to be avoided, the following tips can help improve anemia:

•   Drink enough water to keep the body hydrated.

•  Exercise regularly. It should be noted that caution should be used when beginning exercise for people who are debilitated as a result of anemia, and it is recommended that you consult a health care provider about ways to exercise safely . 

• Cooking with iron utensils, where iron particles move from cookware to food, can provide a significant source of iron, knowing this may not work for everyone, as getting large amounts of iron is harmful to health and is associated with increased risk of many health problems, and it is best to consult a doctor before using these 

•  Stay away from smoking, because smoking increases the body's need for vitamins and has a negative impact on overall health.

•  Consult a doctor or dietitian if the person follows a plant-based diet; On the proper diet for vegetarians and the possible need for nutritional supplements.