Anaemia

Anaemia may also be an indication of an underlying condition i.e. arthritis, infection, and some serious illnesses. Symptoms include pale pallor, lethargy and fatigue, shortness of breath on exertion, headache, and dizziness.

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Anaemia is a condition of reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Oxygen is transported around the body by the iron-containing pigment haemoglobin in the red blood cells (erythrocytes), and released to the tissues as the blood passes through the capillaries. Oxygen-depleted red cells are returned in the veins to the right side of the heart, from where the blood is pumped to the lungs for recharging with oxygen. Anaemia is significant not so much as a health problem in its own right, but may be an indication of an underlying condition i.e. arthritis, infection, or certain major illnesses, including cancer.

The many different causes of anaemia can be classified into two main groups:

1. Anaemia due to an insufficiency or abnormality of the haemoglobin in red cells. A common example of reduced haemoglobin anaemia is iron deficiency anaemia, due to an inadequate intake of iron in the diet or the excessive loss of iron from the body, such as occurs in bleeding lesions of the bowel (ulcers, cancers), chronic menstrual bleeding and closely repeated pregnancies and lactation. As well as this, abnormalities of haemoglobin occur in the hereditary anaemia's (for example, sickle cell anaemia), and in specific poisoning, which alters the haemoglobin so that it cannot carry oxygen properly.

2. Due to an inadequate number of red cells in circulation. The red cell count may fall in aplastic anaemia when insufficient red cells are produced by the bone marrow. This can happen in bone marrow suppression caused by irradiation or drugs, or bone marrow destruction, caused by primary or secondary cancer. As well as this it may fall in pernicious anaemia and some hereditary anaemia's when red cells are fragile and are destroyed too rapidly - the normal life of a red cell is 120 days.

Another common reason for low iron levels is due to the regular consumption of foods and beverages that contain tannin and caffeine. This includes standard tea, coffee, red wine, herbal tea, energy drinks like V, and chocolate. As we consume these foods inositol and biotin, which are both recognised as part of the B complex vitamins, may become depleted. Being deficient in these prevents iron from being properly utilised, and causes other vitamins to be pumped through and out of the body before they can be properly absorbed.

In addition to this, when we consume beverages containing tannin or caffeine for up to 1 hour after eating a meal, it acts like a magnet and binds with minerals and vitamins, in particular iron and calcium, and eliminates these from the body. Ideally you should not consume these products for up to 1 hour after a meal.

Wine contains polyphenols which also bind to iron, hindering its absorption. A high consumption of milk products decreases dietary iron absorption, as does the regular use of antacids.

Factors reducing the correct absorption of iron include: low stomach acid; low dietary iron levels; parasites; and taking an iron & calcium supplement at exactly the same time.

If you continue to suffer with low iron, despite iron supplementation, get your Ferritin levels checked. Ferritin is an iron binding protein. Your ferritin level determines your body's capacity to store iron and will assist with iron absorption & transport as well as iron storage within the cell. Ferritin is indicated in all cases of anaemia. Please feel free to fax us your blood tests so we can analyse them properly for you.

The symptoms of anaemia are pale pallor, lethargy and fatigue, shortness of breath on exertion, headache, dizziness or a light headed feeling. A correct diagnosis of anaemia is essential in order to determine the cause. When the cause of anaemia can be eliminated or corrected, treatment is entirely satisfactory. Otherwise the only treatment is by blood transfusion.

Nutritional and Herbal support include:

Ironecta - a Blackberry-fruit syrup made from organically-grown berries, stinging Nettles and Willow Leaf. Each of these herbs are high-iron content plants, and are extremely high organic Silica rich plants, the prime minerals for good blood and cell tissue building.

Ferritin - Ferritin is an iron binding protein used as a therapeutic iron supplement. Ferritin will assist with iron absorption & transport as well as iron storage within the cell. Ferritin is indicated in all cases of anaemia.

Women's Iron complex - A high potency, readily absorbed Iron Complex containing Iron bisglycinate, Vitamin C, Folic acid, Vitamin B12, as well the herbs Dong Quai and Red Raspberry leaf.

Some important points about Anaemia:

Eat a range of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Avoid nuts, chocolate, rhubarb, spinach, beans, beer, dairy products, ice cream and soft drink, as the consumptions of these can interfere with iron absorption.

Consuming a vast range of herbal beverages containing iron-rich herbs can increase oxygenation. These include alfalfa, bilberry, cherry, dandelion, grape skins, nettle, red raspberry, and yellow dock. But try and avoid having these around a meal time.

Include blackstrap molasses and raw liver (if desired) while reducing coffee (contains polyphenols), tea (contains tannins) and large amounts of bran (excretes iron through the stool).

Have a blood test to evaluate blood status and to what extent the anaemia exits.

Do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke if possible.

Excessive intakes of the following have been implicated in iron deficiency: calcium; cobalt; and coffee. Deficiency in hydrochloric acid, zinc and riboflavin (B2), also play a role.