Role Of Diet In Anaemic Patients

Anemia gets detected when body does not have enough red blood cells (RBC). This condition is mainly caused by excessive blood loss and the destruction of red blood cells, or the inability to create enough red blood cells naturally. There are several types of anemia. The most common type found in Indian society is iron deficiency anemia.

Red blood cells contain a protein called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is nothing but level of iron in body. Without sufficient iron, body cannot make the hemoglobin it needs to create enough red blood cells to deliver oxygenic blood throughout body. Folate and Vitamin B-12 deficiency may also impact  body’s ability to generate enough red blood cells for a human to survive normally. If  body doesn’t process B-12 properly, one  may get pernicious anemia.

A diet that is rich in iron and Vitamins – like B, C and E are very crucial to be included  in diet as it will help in boosting up the immunity in general.  Diet has to play an important role in curing anemia. The best diet schedule for anemic patients includes foods which are extremely rich in iron. Certain vital vitamins are essential  for hemoglobin and red blood cell formation. The consumption of  foods which will help absorb iron also is essential.

There are generally two types of iron found like heme and non-heme iron. Heme iron is generally found in meat, poultry and sea food while non-heme iron is present in plant foods and leafy vegetables. Heme iron is easily absorbed by our body than non-heme. On an average, a human being needs about 150-200 grams of iron daily. It is difficult to get so much iron grams easily.

Given below is the list of things one should eat to beat anemia.

• Leafy Vegetables – Spinach, Fenugreek, spring onion etc.
• Meat and poultry – All meat and poultry contains heme iron which is easy for absorption. Red meat, lamb, and venison are the best sources of iron. Poultry and chicken have lower amounts of iron but are beneficial.

Fortified foods – orange juice, ready-to-eat cereals, refined flour such as white bread, pasta, cornmeal, white rice.