Tired of feeling fatigued all the time and don’t have enough energy to do everything you wanted, dry hair, and dry skin? You might have blood deficiency in Chinese medicine term; it’s similar to the western term of anemia.
Based on the statistic of 2004 from the US Census Bureau and International Data Base, 3.5 million Americans have diagnosed with anemia, and many others have normal laboratory testing, but still have blood deficient signs. Anemia is a condition in which there is reduced delivery of oxygen to the tissue of the body leading to fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, pale skin (lips, the lining of the eyelids, nail beds, and palms), insomnia, scanty or no period, or decreased appetite.
Based on the statistic of 2004 from the US Census Bureau and International Data Base, 3.5 million Americans have diagnosed with anemia, and many others have normal laboratory testing, but still have blood deficient signs. Anemia is a condition in which there is reduced delivery of oxygen to the tissue of the body leading to fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, pale skin (lips, the lining of the eyelids, nail beds, and palms), insomnia, scanty or no period, or decreased appetite.
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency, which leads to anemia worldwide, even in the United States. Iron deficiency can be caused by lack of iron in the daily meal, an inability to absorb iron, pregnancy, or blood loss i.e. heavy period, or Gastrointestinal bleeding.
How do you treat iron-deficiency anemia? First, understand the cause of your iron deficiency by visiting your health care provider to see if it is a bleeding disorder, or lack of food source or mal-absorption, which can be managed through careful meal selections or using herbs.
It is far better to consume iron-rich foods and Chinese medicinal herbs than to take iron supplements. Food is more enjoyable and easier for the body to assimilate, rather than taking concentrated iron pills, which can lead to stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea in some people. Other people can be allergic to the iron binder from the supplement i.e. the sulfate group, and overdosing iron supplements can be fatal.
Foods, high in iron, like meat, poultry, fish, egg, whole grains, and iron-fortified foods like cereals. Iron is easier to be absorbed if it comes from animal sources, and the iron availability is less if its source is plant or fortification.
Guidelines in general
Avoid processed foods, which is harder to digest and the good nutrients are harder to be absorbed.
Take food that contains Vitamin C along with the meal to help with iron absorption, i.e citrus fruits, or tomato.
Avoid drinking caffeine-containing beverages with the meal, such as coffee, tea, or dark-colored soft drinks. Caffeine can inhibit the absorption of iron.
Soups and stews are easy for the stomach to digest, and iron pot can add some iron to foods.
Avoid eating large amounts of dairy with meals, because calcium can inhibit iron absorption. Don’t take your iron supplement and calcium supplement at the same time!
Non-Vegetarians
Select good quality tender meat, poultry or fish
Avoid deep fry cooking method and avoid overcooking
Avoiding eating more than 5oz at one setting
Vegetarians
Utilize the legumes family regularly i.e. black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, lima beans, or lentils. Don’t forget to add tomato or tomato sauce to help you get the iron.
Go nuts with snacks i.e. cashew, pistachio nuts, or sunflower seeds.
Choose whole grains or wheat bread, they are not only healthier, but they also contain more natural iron too.
Add some dried fruits to your cereals, salads, or snack mix
The general rules above are emphasized for vegetarians.