Anemia

Anemia

About 30% of the U.S population is iron deficient. vegetarians  usually find that after years of vegetarianism that they   lack B12.  Some medications like birth control anticonvulsants can cause a deficiency. Iron deficiency anemia

B12 deficiency or pernicious anemia can be treated with B12 shoots daily for a week. Folic acid anemia can be treated by eating folic acid rich foods like calf liver and lentils.

Foods that are  high in iron are:

• Almonds
• Basil
• brewers yeast
• Cereal/breads with iron in it (100% iron-fortified is best. Check food label.)
• Liver
• Lentils and beans
• mangoes
• Oysters
• Tofu
• Green, leafy vegetables such as spinach
• Red meat (lean only)
• Fish
• Dried fruits such as apricots, prunes, and raisins

Eat and drink foods that help your body absorb iron, like orange juice, strawberries, broccoli, or other fruits and vegetables with vitamin C.

Foods to Avoid

Don’t drink coffee or tea with meals. These drinks make it harder for your body to absorb iron.
Calcium can hurt your absorption of iron also egg yolks,  brazil nuts wheat bran should also be avoided if you have a hard time getting enough iron.

Having a large reserve of iron is linked to diabetes. Heme iron is also linked to colon,  prostate cancer and heart disease. Research is still being done on it. People with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and Lou Gehrig’s disease have high levels of iron in their brains, but it is not clear if the iron is the problem or is it the result of it.  Ways to reduce your intake of heme iron are, eat plant proteins like lentils, beans, tofu, and grains poultry and seafood and eat  less red meat. Also donate blood regularly.