Diet For Patients With Anemia

Anemia is a condition in which there is a decrease in the number of red blood cells (erythrocytes), as well as decreased levels of hemoglobin in erythrocytes. The condition can result from blood loss, destruction of red blood cells or the body's inability to synthesize them. Anemia affects the quality of life. More often you feel tired, exhausted and lack of energy . It is treated by medication, hospital infusions and last but not least - through diet. An iron-rich diet can permanently increase hemoglobin levels.

Purpose of the diet .

The diet used in patients with anemia requires a change in the current diet. It includes mainly foods rich in iron and other vitamins (mainly group B), which are involved in the production of red blood cells. Foods that enhance iron absorption are also included. There are two types of iron that we take in through food - heme and non-heme. The diet includes both types. Heme iron is easier to digest and is found in meat. Vegetables are a source of non-heme iron. In most cases, diets for patients with anemia are individualized, but a general requirement is to take 150-200 mg of iron per day. Usually, in order to reach such daily doses of iron, it is necessary to take medications containing iron.

Let's start with the well-known deer vegetables .

Vegetables such as cabbage, spinach, scallops, quinoa, sorrel and nettle are rich sources of non-heme iron. Some of them also contain folic acid. A diet low in folate can lead to folate-deficient anemia.

Citrus fruits, legumes and whole grains are a source of folate.

Some of these leafy vegetables as rich in iron as cabbage and spinach, for example, are also rich in oxalates. Oxalates are ingredients that interfere with the normal absorption of non-heme iron. So these vegetables should not be your only source of iron in the diet. And vitamin C is a substance that aids in the absorption of iron. Therefore, the diet provides for the inclusion of foods rich in vitamin C such as peppers, citrus fruits and strawberries.

Mesa.

All types of meat are a source of heme iron, which is more easily digested by the body. Red meats such as beef, lamb, venison are the richest sources of easily digestible iron. White meats such as chicken and turkey have a lower iron content. Eating meat together with sources of non-heme iron (vegetables) enhances the absorption of iron.

Liver .

Many people avoid eating foods such as liver, heart or kidneys. These are delicacies, and the liver is an excellent source of iron and folic acid, making it a staple food in the anemia diet. Veal hearts, kidneys and tongue are also rich in iron.

Seafood .

Shellfish such as mussels, oysters and shrimps are a good source of iron. Most fish also contain iron: tuna, perch, salmon. Although both fresh and canned salmon are high in iron, canned salmon is high in calcium. It binds to iron and makes it very difficult to absorb. Therefore, the diet excludes foods rich in calcium, or at least they should not be consumed at the same time as iron-containing foods. Here are some of the foods to avoid: fresh and yogurt, cheese, broccoli, tofu.

Functional foods enriched with iron .

These foods are also recommended for vegetarians. Such foods are: fruit juices, cereals, some flours, white rice and more.

Nuts and seeds.

Many of them are rich in iron. To take advantage of the amounts of iron in them, choose raw nuts. Here are some of them that contain the most iron: pumpkin seeds, cashews, pistachios, hemp seeds, pine nuts, sunflower seeds. Almonds are also rich in iron, but also calcium, so they are unlikely to affect iron levels in your body.

Remember, no diet will cure anemia, but following such a diet will stabilize the iron in your body, and this will help you feel better.