Anemia
In anemia, the number of red blood cells or the amount of haemoglobin (oxygen-carrying protein) in red blood cells is decreased. Common causes of anemia are excessive bleeding, decreased red blood cell production, and increased red blood cell destruction. There are several types of anemia: iron-deficiency anemia, pernicious anemia, sickle-cell anemia, and hypoproteinemic anemia (lack of protein in the blood), as well as certain vitamin-deficiency anemia’s such as B-12 and folic acid deficiency anemia. Certain bleeding disorders, such as profuse menstrual bleeding, bleeding hemorrhoids, or bleeding gums, can lead to anemia due to blood loss. Symptoms vary, but may include weakness, fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Supplementing with certain vitamins, minerals, and herbs can aid the body’s production of red blood cells.
Diet is of the utmost importance in the treatment of anemia. Almost every nutrient is needed for the production of red blood cells, haemoglobin, and the enzymes, required for their synthesis. Iron should always be taken in natural organic form as the use of inorganic iron can prove hazardous, destroying the protective vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids. The common foods rich in organic iron are wheat and wheat grain cereals, brown rice; green leafy vegetables, cabbage, carrot, celery, beets, tomatoes, spinach; fruits like apples, berries, cherries, grapes, raisins, figs, dates, peaches and eggs.
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Home Remedies |
- Take freshly prepared apple juice an hour before meals or just before
retiring for the night and also don’t take anything for about half an hour
after the juice.
- Take a juice of beetroot which is an excellent remedy for anemia.
Beet juice contains potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulphur, iodine, iron, copper, carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins B1, B2, niacin, B6, C and vitamin P. With its high iron content, beet juice regenerates and reactivates the red blood cells, supplies the body with fresh oxygen and helps the normal function of vesicular breathing.
- Soak 10-12 currants (munnakas) in water overnight. Remove seeds and
eat them regularly for four weeks.
- Eat a cup of plain yogurt with 1 teaspoon turmeric on an empty stomach.
- Have spinach juice of 125gm spinach everyday for 3weeks.
- Eat 6-8 dates daily which help to increase iron level in blood.
- Mix one tablespoon Indian gooseberry (amla) juice with a ripe mashed
banana with one tablespoon honey, take this mixture twice a day.
- Take vitamin B 12 which is a must for preventing and curing anemia. This vitamin is usually found in animal protein and especially in organic meats like kidney and liver. However, equally good alternative sources of vitamin B 12 are dairy products like milk, eggs and cheese. Peanuts, wheat germ and soyabeans also contain some B 12.
- A cold water bath is among the most valuable curative measures in anemia. The patient should be given carefully graduated cold baths twice daily. Cold friction, hot epsom salt bath for 5 to 10 minutes once a week and an occasional cabinet steam bath are also recommended. Full sun baths are especially beneficial as sunlight stimulates the production of red cells.
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Do's |
- Eat iron-rich foods, such as beets, carrots, grapes, raisins, and currants,
and fresh green vegetables like spinach, chard.
- Drink pomegranate juice and cranberry juice.
- Drink copper water. Keep water in genuine copper glass overnight, and drink it in the morning. Copper is essential for the utilization of iron in the building of haemoglobin.
- Do deep breathing and light exercise like walking and simple yoga asanas which should be undertaken to tone up the system. Sarvangasana paschomittasana, uttanpadasana and shavasana are recommended.
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Don’ts |
- Avoid drinking tea and coffee immediately after meals as they interfere in
the absorption of iron from the food.
- Avoid hot, spicy and fermented foods.
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See Doctor |
- If you suspect you have anemia, see your doctor. Anemia isn't something
to self-diagnose.
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