Anemia

🌿 Overview

Millions of people are anemic. Iron deficiency anemia is by far the most common type. The primary function of red blood cells is to carry oxygen to every cell in the body. About 60–70% of the body's iron is in the hemoglobin of blood; the rest is stored in the liver. Red blood cells last about 120 days before wearing out — the body must constantly produce more. 20% of women and 50% of children suffer from anemia. Cow's milk interferes with iron absorption and can cause internal bleeding — the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children under 1 year NOT drink cow's milk for this reason.

Common signs

• Easy tiring and weakness disproportionate to activity
• Dizziness and headaches
• Rapid heart rate and shortness of breath on exertion
• Pale skin, nails, and lips
• Sensitivity to cold
• Poor appetite or unusual cravings for clay, ice, or starch (pica)
• White or coated tongue; pale tissue beneath fingernails; white skin inside lower eyelid when pulled down

🔎 Why it happens

Common causes and triggers — spotting yours is often the first step to relief.

• Insufficient iron in the diet or poor iron absorption
• Chronic blood loss: hemorrhoids, ulcers, heavy menstruation, diverticular disease
• Cow's milk: interferes with iron absorption and can cause intestinal bleeding
• Aspirin and ibuprofen: cause blood loss through the digestive tract wall
• Pregnancy and rapid growth (increased iron needs)
• Nutritional deficiencies: vitamin C (needed for iron absorption), B12, folate
• Food allergies causing internal bleeding (especially milk allergy in infants)

✅ What to do

Gentle, practical steps you can take at home — start at the top.

1. Blackstrap molasses: 1 tablespoon daily (1 tsp. for a child) — richest and safest food source of iron; much safer than iron supplements
2. Beet juice (¼ cup) mixed with carrot juice: drink daily — long-proven remedy for anemia
3. VitaminA natural substance your body needs in small amounts to stay healthy, like vitamin C or D. More → C with every meal: 1,000–2,000 mg — dramatically increases iron absorption from food
4. Lemon juice in water before meals: the acidity increases stomach acid and iron absorption
5. Orange juice with iron-rich foods: increases iron absorption
6. Iron-rich foods: whole-wheat flour, oatmeal, yeast, wheat germ; beets, beet greens, cabbage, whole grains, barley, peas, seeds, nuts; sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, almonds; Swiss chard, kale, spinach; figs, dates, cherries, prunes
7. Iron-rich herbs: alfalfa, comfrey, dandelion, fenugreek, mullein, nettle, chamomile, red raspberry
8. Garlic extract: shown effective in treating anemia
9. Whole-wheat flour and oatmeal: effective in increasing hemoglobin regeneration
10. Do NOT take calcium, vitaminA natural substance your body needs in small amounts to stay healthy, like vitamin C or D. More → E, or zinc at the same time as iron — they interfere with absorption
11. Avoid spicy foods, teaA warm drink made by steeping herbs in hot water. How to make a tea →, coffee, and tobacco — all decrease iron absorption
12. Eat a high raw-food diet (60–70% fresh fruits and vegetables) rich in vitaminA natural substance your body needs in small amounts to stay healthy, like vitamin C or D. More → C

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🍽️ Eating to help

Food is one of the gentlest medicines — small, steady changes help most.

Favor these

• Blackstrap molasses (1 Tbsp. daily — richest safe iron source)
• Beet juice + carrot juice (¼ cup daily)
• Vitamin C with every meal (1,000–2,000 mg)
• Iron-rich whole grains: wheat germ, oatmeal, barley
• Dark leafy greens: Swiss chard, kale, spinach
• Figs, dates, prunes, cherries

Go easy on

• Cow's milk (interferes with iron absorption; causes intestinal bleeding in infants)
• Tea, coffee, and spicy foods (decrease absorption)
• Aspirin and ibuprofen (cause GI blood loss)
• Tobacco (smoke decreases iron absorption)

Do NOT take calcium, vitamin E, or zinc supplements at the same time as iron — they compete for absorption. Take iron-rich food or supplement at a separate time. Blackstrap molasses is far safer than iron supplement pills, which can cause constipation and other problems.

💬 Ask Remy about Anemia