Low iron levels in the blood can cause feelings of weakness, dizziness, and fainting. You have anemia when you have too few red blood cells or too little hemoglobin in your blood. This is most likely caused by an iron deficiency, but can also be due to a deficiency in vitamin B12 or folate. Anemia is most likely to occur in pre-menopausal women, especially during pregnancy.
Symptoms of Anemia
The symptoms may include tiredness and lack of energy, palpitations, light-headedness, pale skin, shortness of breath, feeling cold, headaches, changes in taste, a sore or smoothing tongue, and dry, peeling, or spoon-shaped nails.
Your doctor may also prescribe iron supplements to address an iron deficiency and bring your iron levels back to normal. Your red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels will be monitored carefully to make sure you are responding well to treatment. It may also be necessary to make dietary changes and take vitamin B12 or folate supplements.
Natural Treatments
Here is some natural treatment you might consider:
• Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that may help to treat anemia. Try taking one heaping teaspoon per day
• Vitamin C helps your body to absorb iron from food. Good sources include broccoli, bell pepper, tomatoes, berries, and citrus fruits
• Ferrum phosphoricum is a tissue salt that is used to treat iron deficiency. Try taking four tablets of Ferrum phosphoricum twice daily until relief is obtained.
Iron-Rich Foods
The following foods contain iron, vitamin B12, and folate, and they will help your body make enough red blood cells and hemoglobin.
Iron: dried fruits, such as apricots, raisins, and prunes, green leafy vegetables, meat, nuts, beans, and molasses.
Vitamin B12: meat, dairy products, eggs, and fortified foods.
Folate: fruits and vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables, beans, peas, oranges, bananas, yeast extract, liver, and fortified foods.
Edited by: Jessa (March 1, 2019)
