Iron Deficiency Anemia Is Due To Malnutrition
Author: Karen Lennox
Time for reading: ~6
minutes
Last Updated:
January 27, 2026
Iron deficiency anemia may be due to malnutrition and inflammation of the intestines.
This type of anemia is not uncommon. As a holistic medicine doctor, I am always looking for the root causes of anemia. The most common cause is stress in everyday life, when it lasts too long. Then not only the antioxidants of the body are depleted - vitamin C, E and A, but also iron. In order to absorb iron, vitamin C is also required.
Common causes of this type of anemia are inflammatory processes in the intestinal tract and especially inflammation of the small intestine, because there is absorbed iron.
In childhood, it can occur if the mother had iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy and the fetal iron stores are not replenished. It usually occurs when a woman has not taken enough iron from her diet or has not taken supplements with iron, folic acid and vitamin B12, which are prescribed to pregnant women.
The second cause of anemia in children is malnutrition. Both the youngest and the students are fond of pasta and confectionery. These are junk snacks, it's hollow in terms of nutritious food because it gives only calories without complete nutritional value.
In adolescence, the cause of anemia can also be malnutrition - insufficient intake of iron through food. This is usually associated with following an unbalanced diet for weight loss. This age is also characterized by chlorosis - a type of iron deficiency anemia associated with heavy blood loss due to heavier menstruation or a higher frequency of the cycle, as at puberty the production of hormones is readjusted and the hormonal balance is very unstable. It should be known that menstrual blood loses a lot of iron and must be replenished in a timely manner.
Older women may also experience anemia with heavy and prolonged menstrual blood loss due to hormonal imbalance or fibroids. Iron deficiency anemia also occurs as a result of blood loss from trauma, but these are incidents. Anemia from one-sided diets is also not uncommon in adults. Although I practice holistic medicine, I do not go to extremes and do not tolerate, for example, vegetarianism and veganism. This is not a suitable diet for all people. One must listen to one's inner voice, the signals of one's own body about its needs.
In old age, metabolic processes are slowed down, including slowing hematopoiesis - the bone marrow produces less red blood cells. To help the body function at this age in general, I recommend including ginseng. It is a stimulator of the immune system and all functions in the body. Ginseng works especially well in adults with low blood pressure and poor brain hydration, which leads to oxygen starvation of brain cells. In general, iron deficiency anemia is associated with oxygen starvation because iron carries oxygen to the cells. In addition to being part of hemoglobin, iron is also part of the muscle pigment myoglobin, which is an iron-containing protein that delivers oxygen to muscle cells. That's why people with iron deficiency anemia experience muscle weakness, along with general fatigue,
- Can only a change in diet cure iron deficiency anemia?
When the anemia is more severe - with hemoglobin below 100 units, we always test for iron and iron-binding capacity of the blood. If this indicator is very low, iron medicine can be imported into the body for some time and then continue with a targeted diet that imports more iron than food. There are good iron-containing syrups combined with vitamin C, folic acid, vitamin B12 and other B vitamins, which play a role in the absorption of iron.
- Which foods are rich in iron and should be consumed to supplement iron deficiency?
Of the animal products, these are primarily beef, liver, sea fish and seafood, egg yolk. People who avoid animal products should consume nettles, pomegranate, broccoli, lettuce, beets, carrots. Of the fruits very useful in anemia are all that contain vitamin C, especially citrus - lemons and oranges. Rich in vitamin C are also apples, strawberries, cherries, pears, quinces, dogwoods, apricots, peaches, grapes, rose hips. Make a decoction of rose hips, but not with boiling water, but just before the water boils. It is good to eat bananas, figs, dates, and all these fruits can be both fresh and dried.
Sesame and sesame tahini also work very well for anemia.
I recommend using some herbs: thyme, basil, dill, turmeric. They support hematopoiesis.
As a rule, all red juices are rich in iron - tomatoes, carrots, red beets, pomegranate. Pomegranate is especially rich in both iron and vitamin C. In addition to its natural form and under juices, pomegranate is also available in capsules in the form of food supplement.
- Are there foods that should not be consumed or should be limited to anemia?
Coffee and black tea should not be drunk one hour before and two hours after a meal, as they interfere with the absorption of iron from food. Milk and dairy products work in the same way, as the calcium in them forms insoluble complexes with iron. Therefore, milk and dairy products should be taken alone, between meals, and not in combination with iron-containing foods. In general, dairy foods should be consumed on their own, but it is good to limit them to people with iron deficiency anemia.
- Would you give some recommendations about the daily menu.
Amaranth and quinoa cereals can be taken in the form of cereal in the morning for breakfast. Around 4 pm, when the blood sugar drops physiologically, we can afford natural chocolate, which is also a source of iron.
Fruits are good to eat until noon, and vegetables at lunch and dinner. During the winter season, vegetables can be lightly cooked, but when possible, it is preferable to eat fresh, as well as in the form of salads and juices.
Proper nutrition in anemia should be accompanied by appropriate physical activity. In addition, the gastrointestinal tract must be cleansed of putrefactive substances and the intestinal microflora must be balanced.
When the pathogenic microflora in the intestine predominates, it hinders the absorption of iron and all valuable substances for the body. It should be noted that all brightly colored fruits and vegetables have a good effect on the intestinal microflora, as they fight parasites.
Spicy and bitter foods and spices (cloves, wormwood) also fight parasites in the human body. The problem of iron deficiency anemia must be approached comprehensively, but above all it must be properly diagnosed, to find the root causes of the problem. In holistic medicine, iris and quantum diagnostics are used, which detect even problems in the preclinical stage before they become diseases with clinical manifestations.
- What is the role of dietary supplements in anemia?
Sometimes it is necessary to take supplements because today's fruits and vegetables are chemically processed, which reduces their content of vitamins and minerals.
In many cases, supplements are preferable to pure iron preparations. Because when taken in concentrated form and for a long time, iron can accumulate in the liver. It is not desirable to get there. Iron preparation is drunk only at very low values in the blood. And when they return to normal, the drugs are stopped and the iron begins to be imported mainly through food or dietary supplements that help hematopoiesis. In each case, you should consult a doctor who will monitor your condition until the iron deficiency is gradually filled.
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