Whenever we breathe in, oxygen-rich blood from the lungs is carried through a network of capillaries to the pulmonary vein to be delivered to the left side of the heart which then pumps to tissues in the body. The reverse happens with removal of carbon dioxide from tissues back to lungs.
In a broad sense, our blood performs three specific functions in the body:
• Transports gases, nutrients, waste and chemical messengers
• Protects the body by controlling bleeding, allergens and errant cells, fight infections and repel invaders
• Regulates temperature (by distributing heat produced by the working muscle throughout the body), pH (involving enzymes and oxygen) and hydration for keeping the body systems in homeostasis, within their vital parameters.
Components of blood
Blood comprises of 3 major components:
- Red blood cells which are produced by the bone marrow
- White blood cells which are produced by the bone marrow and certain lymphoid tissue
- Platelets which are produced by giant cells in the bone marrow
They can be found floating in a liquid base known as plasma which is basically made of water (90%), proteins (7%) and tiny amounts of sugar, fats and mineral salts. The plasma proteins account for the stickiness of blood and clotting factors, as well as specialized functions by their antibodies and enzymes.
Do you know that every red blood cell in your body is replaced every 120 days and that your body produces red blood cells at a phenomenal rate of approximately 2.5 million new cells per second, which is incredibly, 200 billion new cells every single day?
The quality of your blood will change for the better or for the worse depending on the quality of nutritional building blocks you provide daily. The ability to perform its specific functions relies on the proper vitamins and minerals being made available in the foods you eat.
What is anemia?
Anemia arises from a reduction in either the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. Normal adult range is in the region of 4-6 million cu/mm comprising 40-45% red cells and 55-60% plasma.
Composition of red cells
(1) The two proteins, namely Alpha globin and beta globin are responsible for forming hemoglobin, and may cause thalassemia when a gene that helps control production of one of these proteins is defective.
(2) Iron is an important mineral for two main purposes -
- Helps our muscles to store and use oxygen
- Being part of many enzymes (eg. catalase), it is used in many cellular functions related to many other important reactions occurring within our bodies.
Deficiency
A deficit can affect several organ systems such as:
- Delay normal infant’s normal activity and movement or thinking and processing skills;
- Anemia during pregnancy can increase risk for small or premature babies who tend to have health problems or may die in early infancy;
- Cause fatigue that impairs the ability to do physical work in adults and affect memory or other mental function in teens;
- Bone marrow producing smaller and paler cells. In severe cases, the rate of red cell formation is curtailed, causing a low red cell count. This happens to frequent bleeding due to a prolonged illness or pathogenic attack.
Causes
Anemia may result from improper formation of red blood cells by the bone marrow. Hence, it may indicate a need for B12, B6 and folic acid to assist the cells in maturing. Check blood test readings like MCV, MCH, MCHC, platelets and PBF to determine if this is the cause.
Drug use, hormonal disorders, thalassemia, chronic inflammation, surgery, hemorrhoids, heavy menstrual bleeding, repeated pregnancies, liver damage, thyroid disorders and dietary deficiencies (eg. iron, folic acid, Vitamin B) are frequent causes for anemic condition.
Other possible causes are as follows:
+ Tuberculosis and rheumatoid arthritis prevent the movement of iron to the bone marrow where hemoglobin is formed.
+ Women who use intrauterine devices for contraception, suffer heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding caused by hormonal imbalance, fibroid tumors, uterine cancer are prone to anemia. In the worst scenario, cessation of menstruation.
+ Those who overuse antacids to treat peptic ulcer disease and acid reflux, and anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen tend to suffer internal bleeding.
+ Intestinal parasites, particularly hookworm, can cause severe iron-deficiency anemia.
+ A lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach reduces the absorption of iron from food. Cancer of the stomach or intestine, diarrhoea from intestinal infections, and the surgical removal of all or part of the stomach or intestine may interfere with iron absorption.
+ Those who abstain from meat or vegetarians, thus lacking in B6 and B12.
+ Athletics who do strenuous exercise and heavy perspiration depleting the iron reserves.
+ Among children, iron deficiency is seen most often between 6 months and 3 years of age due to rapid growth and inadequate intake of dietary iron. This is especially so for breastfed babies who after age 6 months are not being given plain, iron-fortified cereals or another good source of iron from other foods.
+ Growing adolescents who need the nutritional factors necessary for red blood cell conversion of energy.
Signs and symptoms
- Feeling tired and weak, dizziness, shortness of breadth, palpitation
- Decreased work and school performance
- Slow cognitive and social development during childhood
- Difficulty maintaining body temperature
- Decreased immune function, which increases susceptibility to infection
- Inflamed tongue and difficulty swallowing
- Fragile bones
- Hair loss
- Constipation
- For children, poor concentration and behavioral problems are frequently observed, leading to poor attention spans and academic performance.
- Muscles in adults and brain cells in children do not function up to par.
Treating individuals suspect of anemia is easier. A blood test can be run to show the blood composition, including ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) to detect any inflammation lurking in the body.
Specific test for iron and its stored form, ferritin can provide the clue too. Note:
(1) Low level below 25 ng/mL indicates a need for iron. High level can be due to inflammatory disorder, infections, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease, cirrhosis of the liver.
(2) If iron, ferritin are normal and MCV, MCH, Hemoglobin and Hematocrit are all decreased, suspect a toxic metal body burden.
Diet considerations
If test result showed iron deficiency, load up iron-rich foods like animal meat and green leafy vegetables. Foods high in iron content include kidney beans, liver, rice bran, dried peaches and prune juice.
Kids in more affluent societies are found not eating right and their counterparts in poor countries are not having enough to eat, resulting in both suffering from lack of iron in their diets.
Difference between iron derived from animal and plant protein
- Iron from meat, poultry and fish (i.e. heme iron) is absorbed two to three times more efficiently than iron from plants (i.e. non-heme iron). However, note that animal meat contain high level of cholesterol.
- Toxicity in non-heme iron from plants is unheard of and thus offers a safer option than heme iron derived from animal meat.
- Vitamin C found in plants can increase iron absorption by as much as 30%.
- The amount of iron absorbed from plant foods is dependent on the types of foods eaten at the same time. Foods like almonds, cashews, chocolate, cocoa, kale, spinach, most nuts and beans contain high oxalic acid should be avoided as it interferes with iron absorption.
Also foods containing polyphenols, phytates or calcium eg. tea, coffee, whole grains, legumes and milk or dairy products have negative effect. - The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies do not drink cow's milk as it interferes with iron absorption and possibly causes internal bleeding.
Men and menopausal women may not need extra iron, and the RDI for iron in children in 1-3 years category is much lower than adults. It is found that people with excessive iron in their blood tend to have an increased risk of developing heart disease and cancer as the body’s natural killer cells are unable to perform their normal duty. This is because as iron is stored in the tissues and organs, excessive iron intake leads to the production of free radicals.
Do not take iron supplements if you have an infection. Taking extra iron at such times encourages bacterial profileration in the body.
Other comments
+ Avoid strenuous exercise in order to protect the vital organs from oxygen deficiency. Moderate exercise should be carried out in the open air as a means of maintaining general good health.
+ Women whose menstrual flow is excessive should seek medical help. There may be an underlying problem that need to be addressed. Abnormal bleeding can be one of the danger signals of cancer.
Recent studies showed that 20% of women and an alarming 50% of children are anemic. The consequential damages in terms of ill-health, premature death and dimunition or loss of earnings is unfathomable. Is believed that if corrective treatment is administered fast, national productivity levels can rise by as much as 20%. As the poorest and the least educated are most affected, they are the likely the biggest beneficiary of a drive programme if effectively implemented.
Source: Prescription to Natural Healing; The Simplified Patient Reference Guide by Ronald J Grisanti D.C.
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