Anaemia and supplements, is there a real connection? Anaemia itself is not a disease; it is the result the body malfunctioning somewhere and it stops producing the required number of red blood cells that it takes to keep your body functioning properly. It can affect both males and females at any age, but it is most common among young and middle aged females.
It is estimated that about 20 percent of all menstruating women and over fifty percent of pregnant women have anaemia. However, there are several other people that are at risk of developing this condition that affects the body in several ways.
Anaemia is a deficiency where the body does not produce either the required number of red blood cells or the quality that is required in these cells. Red blood cells carry the oxygen that your body uses through a protein called hemoglobin.
The normal concentration of hemoglobin that is required is 16 g/dl for men and 14 g/dl for women. The symbol g/dl stands for grams per deciliter, which is a volume of unit that is equal to one tenth of a liter.
When the levels of hemoglobin in the blood drop below this measurement, a person becomes anemic.
Hemoglobin is an iron containing protein that is stored in red blood and it transports oxygen form the lungs to several parts of the body including the muscles. Once it arrives, it releases oxygen. However, all tissues need oxygen to survive and without the proper levels it cannot properly convert the body’s sources of energy.
These energy sources are what activate muscle contractions, conduction of nerve tissues, and several other critical functions. Iron is extremely important in this process and a deficiency can cause anaemia, but so can deficiencies of other nutrients.
Causes of Anaemia:
There are several causes of Anaemia, but the most common causes are a lack of three critical nutrients in the diet; Iron, Vitamin B12, and Folic Acid.
Iron, which is a mineral, is a critical nutrient in your body as every red blood cell contains iron and a deficiency causes IDA, or Iron Deficiency Anemia. IDA does not just suddenly develop; it develops over a period of time as the body becomes depleted of iron. Red blood cells need iron to produce at full strength, and when the supply is depleted, they become weaker and can not deliver the proper amount of oxygen.
IDA is most often caused by an insufficient amount of iron in the diet, poor absorption of iron in the body, or an ongoing blood loss by menstruation or a loss of blood in the intestinal tract. However, it can also be caused by very rapid growth spurts.
Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia is caused when your digestive system is not able to properly absorb this critical vitamin. Vitamin B12 is essential in the manufacturing of red blood cells, and if your body is destroying this vitamin, you have what is referred to as Pernicious anemia.
You can also get this deficiency from Crohn’s disease, a bacterial growth, a parasite, or simply by taking heartburn medicine over an extended period of time.
Folic acid deficiency anaemia is caused by not getting enough folic acid either in your diet or by supplements. Folic acid is instrumental in the function of producing new cells in your body including red blood cells. Pregnancy drives the need for folic acid in the body but so do some diseases such as sickle cell disease.
Drinking too much alcohol will also deplete the body of folic acid as will any type of a severe kidney infection that requires kidney cleaners. Medications for Rheumatoid arthritis can also deplete your body of the vitamin.
There are also other causes that include malabsorption issues where your body cannot properly utilize the nutrients, such as coeliac disease.
Autoimmune disorders where the immune cells actually attack the red blood cells and decrease their life span can also be the cause.
Symptoms:
There are several symptoms that will be associated with Anaemia, depending on the severity. The most prevalent symptoms will be fatigue, weakness, and if severe, it can affect your breathing. Pale skin is also a very common with this condition.
Other symptoms will include a sudden drop in blood pressure from either sitting or lying in one position, especially after a large loss of blood. This symptom is very common among women during heavy periods. This may also be accompanied by rapid heartbeats.
Headaches, the loss of the ability to concentrate, and becoming irritated very easily are also common symptoms. If the condition is severe, it can cause cracked or red tongues and a sudden loss of appetite. This is most common among people on fad diets or vegetarians.
Treatments:
Treatments will have to be determined by your doctor after a series of testing to determine the actual cause. In most cases, treatments will be Iron supplements or supplements Vitamin B12 or Vitamin B9, Folic Acid. In very severe cases, these vitamins may be injected along with blood fusions or oxygen fusions where required.
It will be extremely important to take Iron supplements only as recommended or advised by your doctor. Iron is essential in fighting this condition, but it can also be toxic. Your body has a very difficult time in excreting iron excess so it must be taken only as directed.
However, besides the three nutrients, there are other natural ways to help fight off Anaemia. Beet juice is extremely powerful in helping this condition as it has several vitamins and is rich in iron. It is especially helpful to children and teenagers.
Lettuce and spinach are very easily absorbed and the iron found in them is natural and helps with the building of red blood cells. However, the most natural food to help with this condition is honey; it is very rich in iron, copper and magnesium, and can build hemoglobin back very quickly.
Summary:
Anaemia and supplements go hand in hand as a deficiency of the Iron, Vitamin B12, and Folic acid can rapidly deplete your red blood cell strength. Just be very cautious with over supplementing iron. There is no threat at all with either of the vitamins, simply because they are water soluble and it is impossible for them to be toxic as any excess is excreted daily.
