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Diet Related Disease
Anaemia
Anaemia is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world; prevent it by eating a mixed diet and taking a vitamin C rich source with meals to aid iron absorption. Menstruating women, those with a poor diet, children and older people are at risk.
What is anaemia?
Anaemia is a deficiency of the red blood cells that are needed to transport oxygen around the body. In order to produce these red blood cells the body needs iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid.
What causes anaemia?
Iron deficiency anaemia is caused either by lack of iron-rich foods in the diet or the body losing blood faster than it can manufacture it. In children it is often due to poor diet and in adolescent and adult women it is usually caused by heavy periods.
Who is at risk?
Vegetarians can be at greater risk of anaemia as the main, and most easily available, source of iron is red meat. Newborn babies, especially those born prematurely, are also at risk as they have no reserves of iron.
Children who are growing fast and pregnant women have an increased iron requirement and may become deficient.
People suffering from some conditions such as coeliac disease or Crohn's disease may have reduced iron absorption putting them at risk of anaemia.
Symptoms
These include:
palpitations
shortness of breath
dizziness
in severe cases chest pain, headache and leg pains
Treatment
Anaemia is diagnosed by a blood test, Once the cause of the anaemia has been found the doctor will then prescribe an iron supplement.
Iron tablets can have unpleasant side effects such as nausea and stomach pain.
How to avoid anaemia
Iron deficiency is more frequent in women who smoke, eat a diet low in iron and have heavy periods.
To protect against the risk of anaemia:
eat a varied diet including red meat, wholemeal bread, wholegrains, and eggs
take a source of vitamin C , such as orange juice, with meals to optimise iron absorption
If you are pregnant or planning to conceive discuss iron supplements with your GP.
