How to Treat Anemia - Naturally and Effectively!

One of the nutrition disorders, which are most common, is iron-deficiency induced anemia. A fifth of all American women have the disorder and more than half of all pregnant women show symptoms of it. The disorder is less common in men, affecting around 3% of American men. It can be very debilitating and therefore a good iron supplement is advised. 

A deficiency in iron results in low levels of hemoglobin in the body's red blood cells. Iron produces strong red blood cells. When your hemoglobin levels are low because of iron deficiency, your red blood cells have difficulty transporting oxygen to all the different parts of your body. However, it affects your red blood cells in several different ways. When your iron levels are low, the bone marrow is prevented from producing red blood cells and hemoglobin at a rate that meets the demands of the body. The appearance of the red blood cells changes from bright red to paler and smaller.  

Symptoms of iron deficiency induced anemia include a general weakness, shortness of breath, pale skin, low appetite, lightheadedness, a sore or inflamed tongue, headaches and nausea, fatigue, cold hands and feet and brittle nails. Restless leg syndrome is the uncontrollable urge to move your legs and this disrupts the sleep of many iron deficiency anemia sufferers. In severe cases, people may develop pica. Pica is the urge to eat substances that are inedible, such as starch, dirt, ice and others.   

The leading cause of iron deficiency anemia in women is heavy menstrual periods and bleeding during childbirth. However, many other causes can affect females, males and even children. The other causes include bladder cancer, blood loss, colon polyps, colorectal cancer, hookworms, hemorrhoid bleeding, hiatal hernia bleeding, kidney cancer, peptic ulcer bleeding and uterine fibroids.

 Diets that are low in iron or malnutrition are a leading cause of this disorder in many people. Kids may experience growth spurts that cause them to require more iron and when they do not get this from their diet. The anemia rate of a country is often linked to the amount of meat in a country. Countries that follow more vegetarian diets often have higher rates of iron deficiency anemia than those who have meat as a staple diet.

 Intestinal disorders like celiac disease or Crohn's can affect the absorption of iron and result in low hemoglobin levels and symptoms of anemia. Malabsorption disorders, removal of parts of the intestine and intestinal bypass surgery can also hinder the absorption of iron.

 Symptoms will be somewhat relieved when you increase your dietary intake of iron. However, this alone is not enough to reverse the effects of low hemoglobin levels. Healthcare providers often recommend iron supplementation in the form of tablets or in severe cases, ferrous sulphate. You may need to take the supplement on an empty stomach with a vitamin C tablet or orange juice to enhance absorption. It could take four months to relieve the symptoms and reverse low hemoglobin levels. In extremely severe cases, blood transfusion may be warranted. If left untreated, complications such as physical and mental delays, delayed growth, angina and heart attacks may occur.

 Ionic iron supplements are better, as they offer an absorption rate of approximately 100%, versus tablets that have a much lower absorption rate. Minerals without a charge are not as beneficial to you as ionic minerals are. Ionic minerals contain a charge that allows your body to absorb the mineral more easily.  Minerals without a charge may just pass through your body unnoticed and not benefit you in any way. Complex minerals will simply waste your time and money. Invest in ionic iron supplement minerals.