Anemia

Anemia symptoms are not easily
detected in the early stage.
But don't let it go unchecked.

Understanding Anemia

Our human blood composes of three types of cells¾white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. The function of our red blood cells (hemoglobin) is to carry oxygen from our lung to all parts of our body.

When the blood contains insufficient hemoglobin, it lacks the capacity to carry the oxygen supply throughout the body.

When this happens, a person is said to be anemic. The heart will need to pump extra hard to deliver the oxygen where it is needed throughout the body. This causes the anemic person to feel tired both mentally and physically.

Symptoms of Anemia

Symptoms of anemia are not easily detectable in its early stage. Some of its symptoms may be mistaken for symptoms of other diseases.

Do consult your doctor when you frequently encounter two or more of these symptoms: pale skin, shortness of breath, dizzy spells, fainting, rapid heart beat, decreased appetite, decreased sexual function, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, difficulty in performing basic daily activities like reading and writing, due to lack of oxygen in the brain.

Anemia, when left untreated, can become a serious condition resulting in the need for blood transfusion.

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Causes of Anemia

Possible causes of anemia include: heavy blood loss (e.g. menstruation), excessive destruction of red blood cells (e.g. medication) and poor diet that lacks vital blood-building nutrients.

Diet Suggestions

Increase intake of foods that are rich in vitamin B12 and iron, like barley grass, rice bran, brewer's yeast, bee pollen, soy foods, yogurt, alfalfa sprouts, algae (spirulina and chlorella) and liver.

Eat a variety of whole, unprocessed, raw foods that are rich in vitamins, iron and folic acid. Increase intake of chlorophyll, the 'blood' of plants, to effectively build iron-rich blood.

Examples of other foods: kidney beans, lima beans, molasses, sesame and flaxseeds.

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Juice any three or more of the following, the more the better. Drink frequently and rotating them.

Celery juice helps balance the blood's pH, while spinach provides folic acid and iron that are important for people with this condition. Add an apple for its iron content and for its sweet taste. Alfalfa sprouts and wheatgrass are powerful blood healing tonic chlorophyll. Juice and add two teaspoons of spirulina or chlorella powder.

Raw spinach juice can be a bit strong and unpalatable. If you are a beginner, use less spinach and more of the others, slowly increasing as you go. Celery's sodium gives the juice a pleasant savory taste. The alfalfa sprouts and wheatgrass are also pleasant and easily mix with the other produce.
 

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The high content of iron in beets regenerates and reactivates the red blood cells and supplies fresh oxygen to the body. Combined with carrot, this recipe will quickly nourish anemia sufferers in the hemoglobin department.

If you are not accustomed to beets, use less beets initially and more carrots. Gradually increase the proportion of beets till about four or five ounces each time.

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