Iron deficiency anaemia, its possible causes, common Signs & Symptoms, and how Holistic Remedies can help.
Iron Vs Anaemia
Iron is an important nutrient of hemoglobin and form red blood cells or erythrocytes.
Anemia — is a condition in which blood lacks adequate healthy red blood cells.
Some of the Key functions of iron
- Iron is a mineral that our body needs for growth and development.
- It plays a significant role in carrying oxygen via blood to various tissues, muscles and ultimately to tiny cells of the body.
- It eliminates carbon dioxide from tissues back to the lungs, a waste product of metabolism.
- It helps produce proteins.
- Supports brain development.
- Boosts Immune function.
- Temperature regulation.
- Helps convert blood sugar to energy.
- Improves both mental and physical performance.
- Iron supports healthy skin, hair and nails.
Common symptoms of iron deficiency:
- General fatigue, tiredness, weakness and dizziness
- Poor transportation of oxygen in the body can cause low energy levels.
- Low blood pressure
- Light-headness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
- Cold hands and feet
- Headaches
- Fast or unusual heartbeat
- Restless legs syndrome
- Pregnancy complications,
- Intolerance to cold.
- Pains, including in your bones, chest, belly, and joints
- Problems with growth, specially for children and teens
- Shortness of breath
- Skin that’s pale or yellow
- Scanty, light or missing periods etc
An effective holistic approach is to identify and treat the causative factors!
Possible causes and risk factors of iron deficiency anemia
- Not eating enough iron-rich foods
- Inability to absorb iron.
- Intake of certain drugs, foods, specially caffeinated drinks
- Digestive conditions such as Crohn’s disease, or part of your stomach or small intestine been removed
- Heavy Periods – blood loss due to menstruation
- New moms – excessive bleeding during labour
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Donating blood often
- Endurance training
- Short or disturbed sleep could lead to low hemoglobin concentration and increase the risk of anemia!
Home Remedies for Iron deficiency anaemia.
Make sure to avoid any ingredient you are allergic to – discussed in this article!
Top foods for Iron deficiency Anaemia
Iron is not made in the body and must be absorbed from foods we eat.
- Meat & Poultry sources of iron.
- Lean beef
- Veal
- Lamb
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Liver
- Seafood
- Fish
- Mussels
- Shellfish
- Oysters etc
Vegetables sources – Greens of all kinds
Spinach, Broccoli, Cabbage, Sweet Peas, Kale, Brussel & Bean Sprouts, Tomatoes, Potatoes, Pomegranate, Grapes, Cherries, Apples, Chickpeas, oatmeal, Tofu, Corn, Dates, Beets, White, kidney, lima and green Beans etc
Wholegrains – brown rice, Rye, whole wheat, cashews, pine nuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, almonds, pumpkin, sunflower and sesame seeds etc.
Dried fruit such as dried apricots, prunes, raisins, nuts and seeds
Iron-fortified breakfast cereals or bread
Egg yolk, Legumes, pulses, Swiss chard, dark chocolate.
2 Fastest ways to boost iron levels
Taking iron supplements with vitamin C is often the fastest way to raise your iron levels.
Juices like prunes, beetroot, pumpkin and spinach juices are rich plant-based iron sources.
Top herbal supplement to boost iron levels
- Hawthorn
- Dandelion
- Rosemary
- Yellow dock
- Nettle
- Avocado
- Parsley
- Lemon
Food to avoid during anaemia
Some foods can make it harder for your body to absorb iron.
They include coffee, tea, milk – dairy products, eggs whites, fiber, and soy protein.
Homeopathic approach for Iron Deficiency Anaemia
Homeopathy is One of the safest holistic system of medicines – that offers a unique, personalised treatment and has the potential to reverse a medical disorder.
Consult a qualified homeopath for a proper assessment and take tailor-made remedies as per your causative factors, modalities and peculiar signs and symptoms etc.
Here are Top Homeopathic Remedies for Iron deficiency Anaemia
- Acid aceticum – effective for nursing moms or due to bleeding during labour.
- Aletris farinosa – for women with extreme weakness and fatigue.
- Cinchona when due to loss of blood or vital fluids.
- Lecithinium – favourable influence on nutritive conditions of blood.
- Ferrum Phos effective to increase haemoglobin levels.
- Ceanothus for anemia due to liver and spleen affections.
- Nux vomica – due to indigestion, mental work and sedentary habits.
- Phosphorus – due to long lasting depression and mental strain.
- Natrum mur – with weight loss, due to grief, loss of fluids and scanty, delayed menses.
- Alumina – due to nutritional deficiency, in young girls at puberty, scanty menses who have craving for indigestible things.
- Ferrum Metallicum one of the best remedies for anaemia- face, lips very pale.
Iron Over-Loading In the BODY – A condition in which your body stores too much iron.
It’s often a genetic disorder and can cause serious damage to your body, including to your heart, liver and pancreas.
Common Symptoms of high iron levels
- Pain in your joints, especially your knuckles.
- Skin that has a bronze or gray color.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Pain in your belly.
- Loss of sex drive.
- Loss of body hair.
- Feeling tired.
- Heart flutter.
Further risks with increased iron levels!
If untreated, it can cause organ damage, may lead to a heart attack, diabetes, cirrhosis of liver, arthritis, depression and premature death.
How to reduce overladed iron levels?
- Reduce your intake of iron and Vitamins C supplements
- Cut down on foods, such as red meat, raw seafood, fortified foods and excess alcohol.
- Donate blood regularly.
- Avoid using iron cookware.
For your particular health problem(s), or to change your medications it is strongly suggested to avoid self-medication and consult your GP / health provider or Mind & Body Holistic Health Clinic.
You may also book your one-to-one consultation with one of our practitioners for your tailor-made remedies as per your causative factors, peculiar signs & symptoms etc.
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