Do you constantly feel fatigued? Has your mood been agitating all the time? Does your skin appear to be pale and dull lately? Maybe rest is not something your body requires. There is a high chance that you are suffering from Anemia. The most common cause of Anemia has been the deficiency of iron.
Well, to be fairly honest with you there’s no rocket science involved here. It is just the lack of red blood cell count or haemoglobin (a protein that transfers oxygen to body cells) in your body.
During my visit to Fauji Foundation Hospital in Karachi, I found a number of women complaining about this condition. It is known that iron deficiency in pregnancy can leading to serious complications while in children it can affect their language and motor skills.
Symptoms you Should Know
Most of the common symptoms are quite significant and sometimes might go unnoticed or confused for something else. Therefore, if you have been experiencing any of these symptoms it’s important to get your haemoglobin levels checking.
- Constant Fatigue
- Lack of Energy
- Hair Loss
- Shortness of Breath
- Being moody and cranky
- Regular Palpitations (increase in heart rate)
Remedies to Try Out
First and foremost, you need to visit your doctor and take the prescribed supplements. With that, you need to incorporate some of these best natural remedies. These can help you boost your energy levels and restore your vitality.
Eat More Green Vegetables
Greens such as broccoli, celery, mustard greens and spinach contain chlorophyll in them which is a great source of iron. Make sure the spinach you’re having is cook, as it contains oxalic acid in raw form, which eventually hinders the absorption of iron in the body.
Increase Vitamin C Intake
You may be more prone to inflammation and infections when you have Anemia because of your weaker immune system. Adequate doses of Vitamin C if taken can help you fortify from within and also help in the absorption of iron. Have a glass of lemon water every day and make sure to add oranges to your everyday diet.
Beetroot and Pomegranate
Fresh pomegranate and beetroot juice act as great blood builders and blood purifiers. Beetroots are also rich in folic acids and you can mix them up with carrots or apples. On the other hand, pomegranates are rich in iron, potassium and copper. Both of these foods if taken in proper amounts can help boost your blood flow. Resulting in higher iron and energy levels.
Raisins and Dates
Two of these foods offer the best combination of Vitamin C and iron. This enables the body to absorb iron quickly and effectively. Take a handful of raisins and 2 to 3 dates. Take it in your breakfast time or as a mid-meal snack. They are known to be “energy shots”.
Folate Rich Foods
Also known as Vitamin B-9 is found in a wide range of foods including legumes, eggs and several fruits. Majorly needed in the making of red and white blood cells in the bone marrow.
Copper Water
Copper water is considered to be an ayurvedic medicine. It is highly recommended to drink copper water stored in a copper vessel overnight, every morning. Copper helps in the absorption of iron in the body and also in new cell formation.
Sesame Seed
Another great way of increasing your iron intake is by eating black sesame seeds. You can soak the seeds in some water for three to four hours and snake a paste. Take it with a teaspoon of honey for better results.
Risk Factors
Anemia can occur in people of all ages, sexes and ethnicities. Here are some of the factors that contribute to this condition.
- Being pregnant
- Having been born prematurely
- Date low in iron and vitamins
- Family history of Anemia i.e, sickle cell anemia
- Blood loss due to surgery or trauma
In The Bottom Line
The outlook of Anemia for a person is different depending on the cause. Some people only need to make dietary changes, while others have to incorporate medication too. It should always be kept in mind that the other types of Anemia are far more dangerous to health. So, if you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed above, do visit your doctor as soon as possible.
