Anemia is a medical condition characterised by a deficit of red blood cells or hemoglobin within them, leading to insufficient oxygen in the body.
The most common cause of anemia is a a lack of iron or vitamin B12. Iron plays an essential role in the production of hemoglobin, a protein present in red blood cells, which transports oxygen from the lungs to all the body’s cells. B12 is essential for the production of DNA in the cells responsible for red blood cell formation.
Other factors, such as chronic diseases, genetic disorders or significant blood loss, can all cause anemia.
Symptoms vary but usually include fatigue, weakness and pallor, as well as breathlessness, dizziness and a rapid or irregular heart rate. In more severe cases, anemia can also cause chest pains, headaches and difficulty concentrating.
If you’re experiencing any such symptoms, it’s important to consult a health professional. He or she will be able to give you a precise diagnosis and recommend the appropriate treatment, which can range from dietary changes to supplementation with iron or vitamins, and even a blood transfusion in the most serious cases.
First and foremost, we need to distinguish between the two types of iron present in our diet: haem and non-haem.
Haem iron is associated with proteins such as hemoglobin and is only found in animal-source foods. It’s the form most easily-absorbed by the body, with an absorption rate of between 15% and 35%(1).
Non-haem iron is found in a wide range of foods both animal- and plant-source. However, only 2%-20% of non-haem iron is absorbed by the body (2).
Nutrition is hugely important in treating anemia, so it’s essential to know which foods can hinder the recovery process.
To make this easier, we’ve listed the foods below which are best avoided:
Foods high in calcium when eaten alongside those high in iron: calcium is a mineral that can impede the body’s ability to process iron when the two are ingested at the same time. Studies have shown that consuming a meal containing 300mg–600mg of calcium can actually reduce iron absorption by 40%-50% (3-4).
Anaemic individuals should therefore take particular care when eating a meal containing calcium-rich foods such as cheese, milk and yogurt as well as sardines and tofu. These foods can, however, be eaten between meals. .
Foods with a high tannin content, when also eating iron-rich foods: ubiquitous in our daily diet, in tea, coffee, wine and dark chocolate for example, tannins are polyphenols which also interfere with the body’s iron absorption, thus reducing its bioavailability(5).
Research suggests that regular consumption of tannins has no long-term effects on iron levels as part of a healthy diet (6). But it’s advisable to avoid consuming tannin-rich foods close to meals in order to optimize iron uptake (7).
It should also be noted that tannins mainly affect non-haem iron from plant sources, rather than animal-source haem iron (8).
It’s also best to limit your intake of phytate-rich foods. Naturally-present in seeds, phytates are a form of phosphorus found in almost all edible plants such as grains, oilseeds and pulses including lentils, beans, chickpeas and soya.
Consuming phytates inhibits the bioavailability of iron in the diet. One study showed that 5mg-10mg of phytate phosphorus added to wheat bread containing 3mg of iron halved the absorption of that iron (9).
Combatting anemia also means following a diet that prioritises certain foods.
Iron-rich foods include offal, such as black pudding (22mg/100g), pig’s liver (18mg/100g) and lamb kidneys (12.2mg /100g), as well as red meat in general.
Bear in mind though, that consuming too much red meat is not recommended, as it can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and some types of cancer (10).
It’s therefore best to vary your iron sources, by eating fish such as raw anchovies (5.1mg), sardines in olive oil (3.3mg) or raw sea bass (2.2 mg). Other options include seafood such as octopus (2.32mg/100 g) or mussels (6.7mg/100 g).
It’s also a good idea to include foods like sea lettuce (79mg/100g) and spirulina (28.5mg/100g), both of which have a high iron content.
Add to this, supplementation with vitamin C, which is a powerful activator of iron absorption and even has the potential to reverse the inhibitory effect of the above-mentioned substances (calcium, tannins, phosphate). Diet-wise, you can find vitamin C in kiwi fruit and oranges, or add a little parsley to your dishes (11).
The cooking method used can also affect a food’s iron content. Steaming or cooking at low temperature, for example, helps to maximise the preservation of a food’s nutrients including its iron content (12).
It’s essential to have a blood test before considering iron supplementation. Excess iron in the body can be harmful to health and may damage several organs (the liver, brain, joints, etc).
But once iron deficiency has been clearly identified, you can you explore safe and effective iron supplements.
Be aware, however, that not all forms of iron are the same. Compounds such as ferrous sulfate, iron citrate or iron D-gluconate can cause adverse effects like stomach problems (13).
Conversely, ferrous bisglycinate (try the product Iron Bisglycinate) is very well-tolerated and offers optimal bioavailability (14). This is because it has a low molecular weight and no ion charge, thus reducing interactions with other nutrients.
Remember too, the importance of vitamin B12 (if you need to supplement, opt for methylcobalamin, the most bioavailable form of B12).
Note that anemia can also be caused by a lack of folate (another name for vitamin B9), an important vitamin for cell production including blood cells. Folate deficiency can occur for various reasons including malnutrition, pregnancy, the use of cytotoxic drugs ...
In such cases, and under medical supervision, targeted supplementation can be initiated (with, for example, SuperFolate).
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