Anemia Diet and Cure for Anemia

Anemia is a condition related to blood. It is caused when there is an inadequate amount of hemoglobin or red blood cells in the blood. Although there are more than 400 different forms of anemia, the three main forms are iron deficiency anemia, folic acid deficiency anemia and vitamin B12 deficiency anemia. Anemia can also be caused without any deficiency; for example by a chronic disease, external bleeding, pregnancy, infection, bleeding disorder, alcoholism, or hereditary conditions. For this reason, before suggesting a menu or diet plan for a person with anemia, it is very important to know the cause for anemia, as the diet for any form of anemia will vary according to the cause.

Diet for Iron Deficiency

Treatment of iron deficiency anemia will accordingly address the cause; for instance it becomes necessary to evaluate if the anemia is due to low intake of iron rich foods, a hindrance in absorption (due to surgery of celiac sprue), or iron loss (due to certain medications, tumors or alcoholic gastritis). An iron deficiency anemia due to low intake of iron rich foods can be corrected by including foods rich in iron in your diet and medications. Food containing heam iron is well absorbed by the body. Good sources include sardines, turkey, liver, beef, shrimp, oysters, calms, and mussels. Non-heam sources of iron are spinach, asparagus, pumpkin seeds, dates, fortified breakfast cereals, cooked lentils and beans, blackstrap molasses, rice flakes, and baked potato with the skin. To enhance iron absorption in the body you can eat foods rich in vitamin C like oranges, lemons, guavas and other citrus fruits along with your meals. Tannins can inhibit iron absorption so prevent drinking tea or coffee or any other beverages high in tannins after or along with your meals.
Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia unfortunately can not be helped either by supplements or dietary changes. Injections for this vitamin are however available as a useful treatment for this form of anemia.
Folic acid deficiency anemia can be treated by including foods rich in folic acid like broccoli, spinach, meat, poultry, eggs, cheese, liver, other green leafy vegetables, lima beans, kidney beans, raw fruits and yeast. Supplements or folic acid injections may be necessary if there are intestinal disorders impairing folic acid absorption.
Before changing your diet in any way it is wise to consult your specialist as he can accurately diagnose the cause. For a detailed menu plan you can also consult a registered dietician as she can guide you and suggest menu options according to the type of anemia.