Nutritional Anemia
Nutritional anemia refers to the low concentration of hemoglobin, due to poor diet. Hemoglobin is used to transport and deliver oxygen in the body, without oxygen, the human body cannot undergo respiration and create Adenosine triphosphate(ATP), therapy depriving cells of energy.
Facts on Nutritional Deficiency Anemia
- Iron deficiency anemia can happen when a person doesn’t have enough iron in the diet, or if they have a condition that makes it hard to absorb nutrients
- It can lead to a low level of red blood cells
- Vitamin D deficiency anemia happens when a person doesn’t consume or absorb enough vitamin B12, also known as folate.
- It can also cause blood cells to be an unusual shape which will affect it to function properly
Nutritional anemia refers to the types of anemia that can be directly attributed to nutritional disorders. Examples; iron deficiency anemia and, pernicious anemia.
Iron deficiency anemia: the red blood cells appear abnormal and are unusually small (microcytic) and pale(hypochromic). The pallor of the red cells reflects their low hemoglobin content.
Pernicious anemia: is one of the vitamin B12 deficiency anemias, it’s caused by an inability to absorb the vitamin B12 needed for your body to make enough healthy red blood cells.
Vitamin D deficiency anemia: can results from deficiencies in folate (vitamin B9) or vitamin B12. When the intake of these nutrients is low, or if the body is not absorbing them properly, red blood cells may become too large or adequate amounts of red blood cells are not produced this is called megaloblastic anemia
It is a condition characterized by the inadequate production of hemoglobin or erythrocytes caused by nutritional deficiency or iron, folic acid or vitamin B12 or other nutritional disorder.
Symptoms of Nutritional Deficiency Anemia
- Weakness
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Lightheadedness
- Pale skin
- Breathlessness
- Mouth ulcers
- Heart palpitations
- A headache rapid and, pulse or rapid bleeding
- Sore tongue
- Spoon-shaped fingernails,
- Weight loss
Causes of Nutritional Deficiency Anemia
- Lack of vitamin B12
- Low dietary intake of iron
- Lack of IF: is a protein produced by cells in the stomach. Your body needs a type of protein called intrinsic factor(IF) to absorb the vitamin B12
- Low intake of vitamin C
- Heavy menstruation
- Macrocytes; with low vitamin B12 the body will get to produce abnormally large red blood cells called macrocytes, because of the large size of the red blood cells, these abnormal cells will not be able to leave the bone marrow, where red blood cells are made and enter the bloodstream. This decreases the amount of oxygen-carrying red blood cells in the bloodstream which can lead to fatigue and weakness.
- Pregnancy: the fluid portion of a woman’s blood cells. This dilutes the blood can lead to anemia.
- Alcohol consumption can affect the absorption or interaction between folate and vitamin B12.
Treatment of Nutritional Anemia
The main way to treat or prevent it is through a healthful diet.
Drugs; [iron supplements or folic acid,
vitaminB12: plays a role in creating red blood cells, to the body require an adequate intake of vitamin B12, which is found in; meat, poultry, shellfish, eggs, dairy products, fortified soy, nuts, rice milk, and nutritional supplements.
ascorbic acid.]
Dietary Management of Nutritional Anemia
- Eat lots of fruits
- Eat lots of vegetables
- Drink plenty of water
Foods to Avoid
The following foods can interfere with iron absorption:
- Tea and coffee
- Whole grain cereals
- Foods that contain tannins (grapes, corn, sorghum, etc)
- Foods rich in gluten(pasta, wheat, oats—>rich in gluten)
- Foods that contain oxalic acid(peanuts, chocolate, etc).
Nutritional deficiency make one’s immunity weaker which results in incidence of diseases. To avoid diseases, have a balanced diet rich of fruits and vegetables and take recourse to yoga and meditation for fitness and peace. This way one can lead disease free, peaceful life.
Anemia is a worldwide problem. Adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables can help in combating nutritional anemia. Foods that increase iron absorption should be consumed together with iron rich foods and foods that reduces its absorption should be avoided.
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