If you are feeling exhausted despite lots of sleep, have decreased energy, and seem to be unusually pale, the culprit could be some form of anemia.
Although iron-deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world, there are other types. Here, we will discuss 3 forms of anemia that are related to nutrition.
More Than Just a Lack of Iron
Anemia is any blood disorder in which the number of the red blood cells are low or the hemoglobin content in the red blood cells is low. Red blood cells—with the help of iron-containing hemoglobin—move oxygen from your lungs to bodily tissues. Any change in the size, function, or amount of these cells affects how oxygen is transported within your body. This in turn can affect your energy level greatly.
What Are the Symptoms of Anemia?
When you have anemia, your heart has to work harder to pump oxygen-rich blood through your body. Some common symptoms of anemia include:
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness
- Weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Headache
- Cold hands and feet
- Pale skin
- Chest pain
The Nutritional Anemias
Iron-Deficiency Anemia
In the US, women of childbearing age are more likely to suffer from iron-deficiency anemia than men. Because women lose iron in red blood cells during menstruation, anemia can result if the iron is not replaced. Iron-deficiency anemia can be caused by the following:
- Deficiency of iron in the diet
- Blood loss, such as gastrointestinal bleeding or menstruation
- Chronic diseases that interfere with nutrition or cause bleeding, such as inflammatory bowel diseases
Other than women of childbearing age, children and teens are the next most likely to suffer from iron-deficiency anemia.
Megaloblastic Anemia
This type of anemia is primarily associated with inadequate intake or utilization of vitamin B12 and folic acid—2 vitamins necessary for cell division. Thus cells that need rapid replenishment, such as blood cells, are most often affected by a deficiency of these vitamins. The result is that fewer red blood cells are produced and available to carry oxygen to the body's cells, resulting in anemia.
A decreased intake of folic acid from food can result in anemia. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and periods of rapid growth, which increase the body's need for folic acid, can also contribute to anemia. Heavy alcohol consumption will increase folic acid requirements as well.
Vitamin B12 is found in animal products. Thus, vegetarians who consume dairy and egg products are not at increased risk for B12 deficiency, while individuals who are strict vegans (and their breastfed infants) are most at risk for B12 deficiency.
Aging also affects B12 status because less acid is produced in the stomach as we age. Acid helps to release the active form of vitamin B12 in the stomach. From the stomach, B12 travels down the intestines where it is absorbed into the body in the small intestines. Therefore, people who have malabsorption are also at risk for B12 deficiency.
Causes of the megaloblastic anemias include:
- Inadequate intake or absorption of foods with a high B12 content, such as meat, poultry, fish, cheese, milk, and eggs
- Inadequate intake or absorption of foods rich in folic acid, such as green vegetables, whole grains, legumes, leafy greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, citrus fruits, strawberries, wheat germ, and brewer's yeast
- Alcohol use disorder
- Low levels of acid in the stomach
- Removal of parts of the stomach or small intestine
- Celiac disease
Pernicious Anemia
Pernicious anemia is a form of megaloblastic anemia caused by the absence of intrinsic factor—a chemical substance secreted by cells in the stomach that makes absorption of vitamin B12 possible. Lack of intrinsic factor is thought to be caused by a genetic deficiency or an autoimmune disorder. Vitamin B12 injections are the traditional treatment for pernicious anemia, but the supplement can also be taken orally in large doses.
Pernicious anemia usually affects adults. The symptoms of this disorder come on gradually and may not be immediately recognized. Megaloblastic anemia of any sort must be properly diagnosed and treated because serious problems with muscles and balance may occur if anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency is treated with folic acid alone.
Making the Diagnosis
Your doctor will conduct a full medical examination to diagnose anemia and rule out another significant illnesses. It is important to tell the doctor if you have a family history of anemia, gallbladder disease, jaundice, or an enlarged spleen. Your dietary habits are also extremely important for making the diagnosis of the nutritional anemias. If you are a female, you must tell your doctor about unusually heavy menstrual periods.
You should also report whether you have noticed the presence of blood in your stools. Doctors often will check the stool for presence of less obvious blood—often the cause of iron-deficiency anemia.
Blood Tests and Blood Smears
The basic lab tests for diagnosing anemia are a complete blood count (CBC) and blood smears. A complete blood count is performed to assess the red blood cells. It yields 2 important numbers:
- Hemoglobin—a protein found in red blood cells
- Hematocrit—the percentage blood made up by red blood cells
A technician will classify your blood by color, size, and shape. A blood test can also measure the amount of ferritin, an important iron-storage protein. Low ferritin levels indicate chronic iron deficiency.
Treating the Nutritional Anemias
Doctors recommend a diet rich in iron for people who have iron-deficiency anemia. Iron-rich foods include:
- Beef liver
- Poultry
- Fish
- Wheat germ
- Oysters
- Dried fruit
- Iron-fortified cereals
- Eggs
Foods high in Vitamin B12 include:
- Liver
- Meat
- Fish
- Eggs
- Milk and other dairy products
Foods high in folic acid include:
- Liver
- Chicken giblets
- Egg yolks
- Enriched grain products (including certain breakfast cereals)
- Beans and other legumes
- Leafy green vegetables
- Bananas
- Oranges
- Peaches
Follow these tips to make sure you get enough of what you need in your diet:
- Variety —Choose a healthy variety of foods, especially those rich in iron and folic acid, such as lean red meat, foods fortified with iron and folic acid, and leafy green vegetables.
- Vitamin C —Include plenty of foods rich in vitamin C when you eat foods that contain iron. The vitamin C will help absorb more of the available iron.
- Cast-iron cooking —Use cast-iron cookware. Tiny iron particles from the cookware are transferred to food and can provide a significant source of dietary iron.
- Do not smoke —Smoking increases vitamin requirements and has a negative effect on your health in general.
- Supplements —In addition to dietary changes, taking iron supplements may be necessary in some cases. First, talk to your doctor to find out if a supplement is advisable for you. Since iron supplements potentially cause constipation, stomach upset, and nausea, be sure to eat extra fiber and take iron with a full meal. Be sure that any megaloblastic anemia is properly diagnosed before treatment with folic acid begins. As noted above, serious consequences can occur if anemia due to vitamin B12 is incorrectly diagnosed and treated.
RESOURCES
American Society of Hematology http://www.hematology.org
Eat Right—Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics http://www.eatright.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Dietitians of Canada http://www.dietitians.ca
Health Canada http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca
References
Anemia—differential diagnosis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated January 21, 2016. Accessed January 28, 2016.
Anemia fact sheet. Office on Women's Health website. Available at: http://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/anemia.html. Updated July 16, 2012. Accessed January 28, 2016.
Explore anemia. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/anemia. Updated May 18, 2012. Accessed January 28, 2016.
Iron deficiency anemia in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated January 21, 2016. Accessed January 28, 2016.
Megaloblastic macrocytic anemias. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/hematology-and-oncology/anemias-caused-by-deficient-erythropoiesis/megaloblastic-macrocytic-anemias. Updated May 2013. Accessed January 28, 2016.
Pernicious anemia. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated August 9, 2013. Accessed January 28, 2016.