Anemia that results from iron deficiency is treated with the help of iron supplements, and a diet that includes foods high in iron. This article gives you list of such foods.
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia. The main treatment for this condition includes taking iron supplements to boost the iron levels in the body.
If a patient’s diet lacks in iron and if this is contributing to his/her condition, then the patient would also be recommended to include high iron foods in his/her daily diet.
Food Loaded with Iron
- Apricot
- Asparagus
- Baked potato
- Barley
- Beef
- Beef liver
- Beet greens
- Beet root
- Bok choy
- Cereals
- Broccoli
- Canned beans
- Cantaloupe
- Carrots
- Cashews
- Chicken liver
- Clams
- Cooked beans
- Corn
- Dates
- Egg
- Enriched pasta
- Figs
- Grapefruit
- Green beans
- Green peas
- Kale
- Mussels
- Oatmeal
- Orange
- Orange juice
- Oysters
- Peas
- Peanut butter
- Pork liver
- Prune juice
- Pumpkin
- Pumpkin seeds
- Raisins
- Sardines
- Sea vegetables
- Shrimp
- Soy beans
- Spinach
- Sprouts
- Strawberries
- Sweet potatoes
- Swiss chard
- Tofu
- Tomato
- Tomato juice
- Tuna
- Turkey
- Turnip greens
- Watermelon
- Whole-grain bread
Some Quick Facts on Iron
» Iron is required by the body for the production of hemoglobin, and certain important enzymes. It is also required for various proteins and enzymes which are a must for the maintenance of overall health.
» Iron is responsible for the transportation of oxygen in the blood to all parts of the body and for immune activity. To add to this, there are several kinds of metabolic reactions which depend on the availability of iron in the body, and so are regulation of cell growth and differentiation.
» For the liver to function optimally, it must have adequate stocks of iron in it.
» Free radicals can give the body a difficult time if not managed. Iron does that for the body.
Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia
Fatigue is the classic symptom of anemia. When it is accompanied by pale skin, shortness of breath and chest pain, it is most likely that the condition is iron deficiency anemia. Other symptoms include:
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Cognitive problems
- Abnormal irritability
- Cold hands and feet
- Tongue soreness
- Itchiness
- Hair loss
- Poor appetite
- Tingling sensation
If there is any underlying cause of the condition, then there might be more symptoms. For instance, if cancer is an underlying cause, then weight loss may accompany the above symptoms.
Complications
Anemia that is caused by lack of iron in the body does not cause any long-term complication when it is mild and receives timely treatment. However, if the condition is left untreated then it may become worse and lead to severe repercussions.
» People with untreated iron deficiency anemia are more susceptible to contract infections because of their weak immune system.
» As the condition deprives the body tissues of oxygen, the heart works faster to pump more blood to compensate for the lack of oxygen. Overtime, this may cause heart enlargement or heart failure. Tachycardia is also a common complication that may arise in severely anemic people.
» Severe anemia may result in premature birth, low birth weight, and low cognitive ability in babies. The same may also cause pregnant women to develop postnatal depression.
» Anemic children may suffer from delayed growth and development.
» Iron deficiency anemia has also been associated with the condition called restless leg syndrome in some people.
To conclude, people who are considered susceptible to develop iron deficiency anemia include women, vegetarians, and those who donate their blood frequently. Premature babies are also highly vulnerable to suffer from this condition, and so are children whose diet lack sufficient amount of iron and other nutrients.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.
