Nutritional+Anemias

A decrease in the number and size of erythrocytes (red blood cells) or an abnormally low quantity of hemoglobin (blood pigment) or a combination of the two.

Nutritional anemia can occur when blood essential nutrients are lacking. These are: Iron Vitamin B12 Folic Acid

Causes can be insufficient diet, malabsorption, disrupted utilization, a bone marrow defect, or increased need following pregnancy, growth or blood loss (abundant menstruation, digestive bleeding, surgery, accidents, ect.)

Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia
Treatment through diet is only effective long term For short term treatment iron-type supplements (sulphate, gluconate and fumarate) must be taken for 10 days.

Once the anemia is gone, the diet treatment may be continued to prevent relapses. Iron sources should be identified and consumed regularly.

Animal sources are more easily absorbed than vegetable, and vitamin C promotes absorption when taken at the same time.

Tannins (tea, coffee) reduce iron absorption. Porducts such as soy, cocoa, phosphates, phytates (e.g:bran) and oxalates (e.g.: spinach), and various forms of calcium reduce iron absorption.

Metaloblastic Anemia
A deficiency in folacin or B12, it is characterized by: -hyperplasia (great increase) of the marrow -Through the shape or excessive size of red blood precursors, which remain immature

Treatment of Pernicious Anemia (B12 deficiency)
Sublingual supplement of methylcobalamine. Sometimes necessary to give the patient a intramuscular potential injection.

Treatment of Folate-deficiency Anemia (B9 deficiency)
-Folate supplements Once eliminated the diet should include folate rich foods (giblets, green leafed vegetables, legumes, nuts, eggs, oranges, bananas, mushrooms and grains enriched w/ folic acid)

Folate is destroyed by heat and dissolves in water when cooked.