Iron Deficiency Causes Anaemia

Anaemia may be defined as a condition in which there is a decrease in the quantity of haemoglobin or in the number of red cells. Anaemia is among the most common ailments affecting human beings. Nearly half the blood flowing in our veins and arteries consists of red blood cells which carry oxygen to the tissues. Approximately one trillion or 100 million new blood cells are formed daily in the bone marrow. The raw materials required in the production of these cells are iron, proteins, and vitamins, especially folic acid and B12. Of these, iron and proteins are essential in building up the red colouring matter called haemoglobin. A red cell has a lifespan of approximately one hundred and twenty days and is then destroyed and replaced. Each person should have about 15 gm of haemoglobin per 100 ml of blood, and a blood count of approximately five million red cells per millimetre of blood.

Types of Anaemia:
     Apart from the regular kind of anaemia that is usually caused by iron deficiency there are many variants of the disease. The bone marrow of human body creates the red blood cells. If these get damaged by any chance, the generation of healthy red blood cells is thwarted. This leads to the development of a rare type of Anaemia and it is known as aplastic anaemia.

     The red blood cells have a natural life cycle. If they are created and destroyed quicker than usual then it causes haemolytic anaemia. This variant of the disease has a record of being carried forward through generations in a family. Some people suffering from persistent ailments like inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and kidney failure may also develop anaemia.

Causes of anaemia:
      To produce haemoglobin, iron is required. The deficiency of iron is the most dominant factor that causes anaemia. However, the deficiency of iron is not the limiting factor and there may be several reasons behind it. It can stem from sudden blood loss or even for following an improper diet. Usually women after conceiving a child suffer from iron deficiency that eventually leads to anaemia. At times, like in the cases of homozygous E disease, the causes of anaemia might also be genetic.

Lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach or intestinal parasites or worms:
     Anaemia can also occur due to a lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which is needed for digestion of iron and proteins, or intestinal parasites or worms. Hookworms, pinworms, round worms and tape worms feed on the supply of blood as well as on the vitamins.

Symptoms of anaemia:
     Weakness, fatigue, lack of energy and dizziness
The patient usually complains of weakness, fatigue, lack of energy and dizziness. Other symptoms include a haggard look, premature wrinkles, dull and tired looking eyes, poor memory, shortness of breath on exertion, headache, slow healing of wounds, and palpitations. The skin and mucous membranes look pale.

Home Remedies:

Treatment using Vitamin B12:
     Vitamin B12 is needed for preventing or curing anaemia. This vitamin is usually found in animal protein, especially in meats such as kidney and liver. There are, however, other equally good sources of vitamin BI2 such as dairy products which also contain some B12 .

Treatment using Beets:
     Beets are very helpful in curing anaemia. Beet juice contains potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulphur, iodine, iron, copper, carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins B1 B2, B6, niacin, and vitamin P. With their high iron content, beets help in the formation of red blood cells. The juice of red beet strengthens the body's powers of resistance and has proved to be an excellent remedy for anaemia, especially for children and teenagers, where other blood-forming remedies have failed.

Treatment using Spinach:
     This leafy vegetable is a valuable source of high grade iron. After its absorption, it helps in the formation of haemoglobin and red blood cells. It is thus beneficial in building up the blood, and in the prevention and treatment of anaemia.

Treatment using Soyabean:
     Soyabean is rich in iron and also has a high protein value. As most anaemic patients usually also suffer from a weak digestion, it should be given to them in a very light form, preferably in the form of milk, which can be easily digested.

Treatment using Almonds:
     Almonds contain copper to the extent of 1.15 mg per 100 gm. The copper along with iron and vitamins, acts as a catalyst in the synthesis of haemoglobin. Almonds are, therefore, a useful remedy for anaemia. Seven almonds should be soaked in water for about two hours and ground into a paste after removing the thin red skin. This paste may be eaten once daily in the morning for three months.

Ayurvedic Medicines:

1.Punarnava Mandoora, ready made Ayurvedic pills are to be given orally, 1 pill twice a day with a glass of milk. It improves blood condition by increasing haemoglobin levels and thereby RBC count. It is effective even in conditions of oedema due to anaemia.
2.Lohasavam is an oral liquid containing iron and other essential factors required for proper production of RBC. 15ml of the tonic should be mixed with 15ml of lukewarm water and consumed twice a day after meals.
3.Raktda tablet (Maharishi Ayurved) one tablet once or twice daily for 6 weeks is very useful in anaemia.
4.Navayas Loh 120mg taken twice daily is a very good Ayurvedic preparation.
5.Triphala powder ½ to 1 teaspoonful twice a day is also very good.

Diet:

     Sour things, like curd and fried items should be avoided as far as possible. Green vegetables are rich in iron and folic acid and as such these should be taken in plenty. Til seeds and jaggery should be taken regularly as these are rich in iron.

     If constipation occurs, Triphalachurna in a dose of 5 grams should be taken with lukewarm water at bed time.

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