Anaemia is caused if the person has low number of red blood cells in the body. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to the tissues, and everyday almost hundred new blood cells are formed in the bone marrow. Human body needs adequate amount of proteins, vitamins, folic acid, vitamin B12 and iron to form red blood cells. Human beings have fifteen grams of haemoglobin in hundred millilitres of blood.
If a person is anaemic, he or she may suffer from lack of energy and may not be able to carry out the day to day activities efficiently. Anaemia can cause headaches, tired looking eyes, the patient may finds it difficult to breathe and the skin becomes pale in color. Some of the common causes of anaemia are: reduced production of red blood cells from the bone marrow because of insufficient intake of iron, minerals and vitamins, injury in bone marrow or excessive bleeding (common in women after menstruation), presence of parasites such as hookworm in the intestine and if the stomach has low hydrochloric acids. Iron deficiency in pregnant women can cause severe problem hence, care should be taken to get enough iron from the diet.
1. Apple juice is a good source of vitamins and minerals, and it can be taken with honey, once or twice a day to treat anaemia. A mixture of apple and tomato juice is also useful home remedy for anaemia.
2. Spinach, celery, lettuce and fenugreek are rich in iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid, and it can be taken to increase the amount of red blood cells in the body. Fenugreek can be cooked and given to teenage girls, to prevent loss of blood during menstruation. Lettuce is a remedy for low red blood cells in body and spinach allows absorption of iron by the body. It is also high in fibres and it cleans the digestive tract.
3. Soyabean can be taken to get protein and to improve the digestion process.
4. One of the popular home remedies for anaemia is black sesame with jaggery. Take black sesame with jaggery in a cup of milk. It is efficient source of iron.
5. Almonds have high content of iron and copper.
6. Dairy products are rich in vitamin B12 and the vitamin is also found in some animal proteins, found in liver and kidney. For vitamin B12, vegetables such as beet can be taken. Beet has high amount of phosphorous, calcium, sulphur, iron, fat, protein, niacin and vitamin P.
7. Patients suffering from anaemia should take diet rich in fibres, vitamins and minerals. White bread, sugar, desserts, bread should not be taken because these substances are high in carbohydrate and the digestion of these food items takes most of the iron content of the food. Fruits and milk products can be taken, but the patients suffering from anaemia should reduce intake of beverages such as tea or coffee.
8. Anaemic patients can take peas, skinned poultry, eggs, pork and if the patient is vegetarian, he or she can take dried peaches, raisins, nuts, apricots, beans, spinach etc. Cooking food in cast iron vessels also helps.
