Iron deficiency...Anemia

[Pepper]

I just found out that I am severly anemic. My count is so low that it can become life threatening.

The Dr instructed me to take iron pills, vitamins C and B-12, and folic acid. This is to help build up my count. I asked about foods taht are high in iron, 'beef' was her top recommendation.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for foods, mix-up drinks, herbs, etc that I can eat/drink to help me get back on track.

I was warned by the DR that if my count continues to drop, I may need a transfusion. . Of course I am going to everything I possibly can to avoid that.

[Suesumba]

Re: Iron deficiency...Anemia

Most leafy green veggies are loaded with folic acid - Collards, spinach, callaloo. Those I know to be true. Mi hear seh green banana fullup a nuff iron but when I cook it is wid salmon head and I leave the skin on and eat the skin too. Good luck.

[Leonie]

Re: Iron deficiency...Anemia

Welcome to the Club - noh make mi correct it I been there. Mine was 8 or 10 and wouldnt go up no matter how many iron pills mi pop. Have you tried beets, cucumber juice, peanuts with the red skin - iron beef and wine tonic.

Mi would ask you another question but will PM you on that

[M]

Re: Iron deficiency...Anemia

beets/beet juice

dandelion greens

spirulina/blue-green algae/chlorella

there is also a women's supplement by rainbow light that has non-constipating iron

i will go look for some more. i think egg yolks also, but i have to check.

[M]

Re: Iron deficiency...Anemia

Originally posted by SueSumba:
[qb] Mi hear seh green banana fullup a nuff iron but when I cook it is wid salmon head and I leave the skin on and eat the skin too.[/qb]

Give me the transfusion!!!

[M]

Re: Iron deficiency...Anemia

Is All Dietary Iron the Same?
The are two different types of iron in food:
1. hemo iron, found in red meat seafood and poultry, and

2. non-hemo iron found in breads, fruits, breakfast cereals, vegetable, legumes (e. g. baked beans), nuts and eggs.

Hemo iron foods are rich in iron and contain iron in a form that is easily absorbed by the body. Red meat also has a special effect on iron absorption. This meat, when eaten together with the vegetables, can boost the absorption of non-hemo iron by up to four times. Vitamin C also has a similar positive effect on the absorption of iron.

In other words, the key to a healthy iron rich diet is to eat a combination of iron rich foods, high in both hemo and non-hemo iron.

Exactly What Foods Will Help the Most?
Eat more food containing Vitamin C. Vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron into your body. This is very helpful if you are a vegetarian. Vegetarians consume less iron because they obtain it from plant sources. Some plants contain chemicals that bind the iron rendering it more easily absorbed. You can also counteract this being eating foods high in calcium with it (calcium binds the chemicals, making iron absorbable) You can still obtain iron from vegetables. Foods such as beans, whole grains, spinach, and dried fruits have a significant amount of iron.

Red meat contains a significant amount of iron. If fat is a reason that you do not eat red meat, try eating extra lean meat. Liver is an excellent source of iron. (see table)

Eat a lot of iron rich cereal. Many cereals are fortified with iron. Check the food label on the box and look for iron under the daily values.

You should also avoid drinking tea with your meals that are high in iron. Tea contains tannin that will inhibit the absorption of iron.

Here is the rest of it, with a table showing the amount of iron in specific foods:

http://www.bloodbook.com/iron-foods.html

[Pepper]

Re: Iron deficiency...Anemia

Originally posted by SueSumba:
[qb] Mi hear seh green banana fullup a nuff iron but when I cook it is wid salmon head and I leave the skin on and eat the skin too. Good luck. [/qb]

mmmm, that sounds tasty.

M, I could eat green banana and fish head everyday. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Pepper]

Re: Iron deficiency...Anemia

Thanks everyone for the high iron list.

All those foods (the non-veggie ones) are on the fattening side. I'll start my high iron diet tonight. But I was hoping for some ole time remedy to help me out. Something a little less fatten.

Oh well, I'll let you know how I am progressing.

[mountaingal]

Re: Iron deficiency...Anemia

don't forget to take your iron pills with orange juice.

i flirted with anemia for a while, then fixed it for good with my operation. have you and doc discussed what is causing the anemia? is it something that can be fixed - so you're not just treating a symptom?

actually, i seem to recall now you mentioning something that may cause that...

[M]

Re: Iron deficiency...Anemia

Originally posted by Pepper:
[qb]

Originally posted by SueSumba:
[qb] Mi hear seh green banana fullup a nuff iron but when I cook it is wid salmon head and I leave the skin on and eat the skin too. Good luck. [/qb]

mmmm, that sounds tasty.

M, I could eat green banana and fish head everyday. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] [/qb]

If I am ever confronted with any, I will sent it straight to you.

Address:

Pepper
South Florida

That should take care of it [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] .

Not sure if I really want to know the answer, but is the skin the banana skin, the fish skin or both?

[Pepper]

Re: Iron deficiency...Anemia

Originally posted by mountaingal:
[qb] don't forget to take your iron pills with orange juice.

i flirted with anemia for a while, then fixed it for good with my operation. have you and doc discussed what is causing the anemia? is it something that can be fixed - so you're not just treating a symptom?

actually, i seem to recall now you mentioning something that may cause that... [/qb]

I'll remember to use OJ when taking pills. That's a good tip.

I have to do some additional tests to see what is causing the anemia, but in the immediate minute, I need to boost my count right away. Right now I am at 6.2.

[Pepper]

Re: Iron deficiency...Anemia

Originally posted by M:
[qb]
Not sure if I really want to know the answer, but is the skin the banana skin, the fish skin or both? [/qb]

Should be both...yum yum.

Send them all to me. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Green_Biscuit]

Re: Iron deficiency...Anemia

Pepper, I was anemic during my last pregnancy, but always tend to be borderline. They haven't taken my blood in years. That said, here's my list:

Duck
Beef
Liver and other organ meats (choose infrequently)
Oysters (on't eat raw if you are pregnant)
Sardines
Collards, kale and turnip greens
Jerusalem Artichokes
Pumpkin
Potatoes in the skin
Spinach
Spirulina (seaweed)
Legumes (green peas, chick-peas, lentils, kidney and lima beans etc.)
Soybeans and soy products (so that means tofu too)
Carob flour and carob powder
Blackstrap Molasses
Dried fruits

This list is right out of "What to Expect When You are Expecting"

Good Luck. I will keep you in my prayers. If you want any recpies, let me know. Peace and Blessings to you.

[Pepper]

Re: Iron deficiency...Anemia

Thanks GB. great list.

Has anyone ever taken that beef tonic? It came to mind late in the evening, I am thinking of buying some.

[M]

Re: Iron deficiency...Anemia

Pepper, I was thinking about you on the train. I've had low iron before when I had heavy periods. Don't know if that is the root cause of the iron deficiency for you. Quite by accident, I found on the Internet that a lot of Vitamin A will stop the heavy flow. It worked so fast for me it was almost like magic. High doses of Vitamin A can't be taken over a long period of time though. If you think this might be your problem, I'll get more into amounts to take.