Anemia - Information

Millions of Americans suffer from anemia, a reduction in either the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. Of the people suffering from anemia, 20% are women and 50% are children. In many cases it is a hidden disease, because the symptoms can easily go unnoticed. The first signs of developing anemia may be loss of appetite, constipation, headaches, irritability, difficulty in concentrating. Once anemia has been established it can produce symptoms like: weakness; fatigue; coldness of the extremities; depression; dizziness; overall pallor, most noticeable in pale and brittle nails; pale lips and eyelids; soreness in the mouth; and in women, cessation of menstruation. Anemia is significant not so much as a health problem in its own right, but as a sign of an underlying disorder. It is sometimes the first detectable sign of arthritis, infection, or other major diseases, including cancer

Nutrient / Supplement	Helpful notes
Folic acid	It very important for creating red blood cells and often people who suffer anemia are deficient in folic acid. The amount of folic acid believed needed for health has increased and it may even be more important than iron for people with anemia.
Multi-vitamin Mineral supplement	contains vitamin B complex especially B6 & B12, folic acid, vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese, vitamin B complex, calcium, copper, and zinc. These help in both the treatment and the prevention of anemia as well as good general balanced health.
vitamin B12	also known as cyanocobalamin, It aids folic acid in regulating the formation of red blood cells, and helps in the utilization of iron.
Pantothenic acid	is vitamin B5 which is needed for proper red blood cell production.
Pyridoxine	is also known as vitamin B6, It is required for cell reproduction and it also helps with the absorption of vitamin B12 in the body.
Vitamin C	C vitamins are essential in increasing the body's immunity and they help to prevent inflammation. Vitamin C also is needed for iron absorption in the body.
Vitamin A	vitamin A is an important antioxidant that helps boost the immune system and aids in tissue repair. It also works well with vitamin C in a vitamin and mineral supplement.
Copper	this mineral is required for good red blood cell production in the body.
Zinc	enhances healing and works with copper. (See multi-vitamin supplement)
Bioflavonoids	has anti-viral properties and helps to increase the body's energy

Anemia results in a decrease in the amount of oxygen that the blood is able to carry. Anemia reduces the amount of oxygen that is available to the cells of the human body. Resulting in less energy available to perform their normal functions. Critical processes, such as muscular activity and cell building and repair, slow down and become less efficient. When your brain lacks oxygen, dizziness may result, and your mental faculties are less sharp. Note that anything causing a deficiency in the formation or production of red blood cells, or that leads to the too-rapid destruction of red blood cells, can result in anemia. Drug use, hormonal disorders, chronic inflammation in the body, surgery, infections, peptic ulcers, hemorrhoids, diverticular disease, heavy menstrual bleeding, repeated pregnancies, liver damage, thyroid disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, bone marrow disease, and dietary deficiencies (Iron, Folic acid, and vitamins B6 and B12) can all lead to anemia. There are also a number of hereditary disorders, such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia, that cause anemia. Pernicious anemia is a severe form of anemia that is due to vitamin B12 deficiency. Persons with this disorder cannot absorb any form of vitamin B12 from the gastrointestinal tract. The most common cause of anemia is iron deficiency. Iron is an important factor in anemia because this mineral is used to make hemoglobin, the component of red blood cells that attaches to oxygen and transports it. Red blood cells exist only to oxygenate the body, and have a life span of about 120 days. If a person lacks sufficient iron, the formation of red blood cells is impaired. Iron-deficiency anemia can be caused by insufficient iron intake and/or absorption, or by significant blood loss. The latter is commonly seen in women who suffer from menorrhagia (heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding), which in turn may be caused by a hormonal imbalance, fibroid tumors, or uterine cancer.