Anaemia

Looking pale? Feeling weak and tired? There's a quick blood test available to assess whether anaemia is to blame - and if so, whether it's caused by iron-poor blood or something else. Your doctor is the best person to ask about whether certain supplements might be right for you.

What it is  Anaemia is a condition in which there is a shortage of red cells in the blood or a deficiency of haemoglobin (the pigment that carries oxygen) in these cells. When anaemia occurs, the body doesn't get enough oxygen, and weakness and fatigue result. Although symptoms may not appear - or may be very mild - for a long time, the condition can be life threatening, if it is left undiagnosed and untreated. If you suspect you are anaemic, it's essential for you to see your doctor promptly to ascertain the underlying cause of the problem. Treatment will vary, depending on the diagnosis.

What causes it  Iron deficiency, which is the most common cause of anaemia, affects 2-5% of Australian adults. It usually results from a gradual, prolonged blood loss, which depletes the body's iron reserves. Without enough iron, haemoglobin levels fall. Menstruating women, particularly those whose periods are heavy, are prone to iron-deficiency anaemia. However, both men and women can develop this problem as a result of any condition that causes slow bleeding - including long-term haemorrhoids, rectal polyps or ulcers; stomach or colon cancer; or prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as asprin or ibuprofen. Iron-deficiency anaemia can rarely be attributed simply to a lack of this mineral in the diet.

Less common is anaemia that results from a deficiency of vitamin B12 (in which case it's called pernicious anaemia) or folic acid. Both these nutrients are essential to red blood cell production. Alcoholics, smokers, people with certain digestive disorders, vegetarians, those over the age of 50 and pregnant or lactating women are the most likely to be at risk because of poor nutrition or an inability to absorb these nutrients properly. Other forms of anaemia can be traced to chronic illness such as cancer, lumps or rheumatoid arthritis; hereditary disorders such as sickle-cell anaemia; or exposure to toxic drugs, chemicals or radiation.


SYMPTOMS

• Weakness, fatigue, dizziness, irritability or mental confusion.
• Paleness, especially of the gums and eyelids or under the nails.
• Palpitations; shortness of breath.
• Sores in the mouth or tongue; unusual bruising or bleeding.
• Numbness and tingling of the feet or legs.
• Nausea and diarrhoea.

WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR

• If you have any symptoms of anaemia - your doctor must find the underlying cause.
• If you are pregnant (or are considering pregnancy) or if you menstruate heavily.
• If you are following a treatment plan of anaemia - regular checkups can determine whether supplements are working.
• Reminder: If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.

Supplement recommendations
SUPPLEMENT	DOSAGE	COMMENTS
Iron	30 mg 3 times a day with food.	Your doctor may prescribe a higher dosage.
Vitamin C	500 mg 3 times a day.	Take with meals to enhance iron absorption from foods.
Vitamin B12 / Folic acid	1000 mcg B12 and 400 mcg folic acid in sublingual form twice a day for 1 month.	Always take B12 and folic acid together. If still anaemic after oral B12 supplements, you may need B12 injections.
Yellow dock	1000 mg each morning.	Or take 1/2 tsp tincture twice a day.
Dandelion	1 tsp fresh juice or tincture with water twice a day.	Take with yellow dock to enhance iron absorption.

How supplements can help  Before taking supplements to correct anaemia, you need to determine the underlying cause of the condition. It's especially important to consult a doctor if you have iron-deficiency anaemia, which may be caused by internal bleeding. If you 're advised to take supplements, have blood tests every month to see if they are worthwhile.

If iron-deficiency anaemia id diagnosed, the mineral iron combined with vitamin C may be of value. Iron is the key component of haemoglobin, and vitamin C helps the body absorb the mineral. Take iron only under your doctor's supervision, because too much can be dangerous.
Various herbs may also be useful. Yellow dock has modest amounts of iron, but it's well absorbed and can raise blood iron levels. Other iron-rich herbs (dandelion, burdock, mint and linden flowers) may enhance the body's ability to absorb iron from foods or supplements.

Vitamin C may also be beneficial if you have anaemia caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12 or folic acid; it helps the body to adsorb these nutrients. Vitamin B12 and folic acid should always be taken in tandem, and under a doctor's supervision, because a high intake of one can mask a deficiency of the other. Together they work to boost production of red blood cells. Once anaemia is corrected and a problem with absorption has been ruled out as a cause, the amount of B12 and folic acid in your daily multivitamin may be sufficient to prevent a recurrence.


What else you can do

• Eat foods rich in iron (dried beans, liver, red meat, dried fruits, nuts and shellfish); folic acid (citrus fruits, asparagus, spinach, mushrooms, liver, soyabeans and wheat germ); and vitamin B12 (liver, shellfish, lamb, beef, cheese, fish and eggs).

Source - The Healing Power of Vitamins Minerals and Herbs (Readers Digest)