Anaemia is a reduction in the number or size of Red Blood Cells.

Red blood cells (R.B.C) can carry oxygen because they contain Iron. Four Iron atoms are incorporated into every haemoglobin molecule within a R.B.C. Each Iron atom has the unique capacity of attaching to a molecule of oxygen in the lungs and releasing that oxygen at the tissues. Without adequate amounts of available iron from the diet, the body cannot make normal R.B.C and the ones that are formed are pale and small.

Some possible causes

Insufficient Iron in the diet.

Small, continuous, or intermittent blood loss is the more serious cause. 

A symptomless peptic ulcer, piles which bleed intermittently,

Excessive menstrual flow, and other conditions which cause blood loss.

Cancer of the bowel or other cancers.

Some insecticides destroy bone marrow often resulting in anaemia.

The contraceptive pill may bind copper, iron and protein and decrease zinc content in the body.

Copper deficient anaemia is usually found in infants fed cows milk formula instead of breast milk.

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NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS for formation of Red Blood.Cells. Iron (small R.B.C), vitamin B12 (including cobalt), Folic acid, a deficiency of these two shows as anaemia, however R.B.C are large (macrocytic) rather than small (microcytic) in Iron deficiency anaemia.

Copper, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6.

Vitamin C is necessary for optimum absorption of Iron.

Vitamin B6 is needed for formation of haemoglobin, therefore a deficiency leads to anaemia.

Vitamin E is necessary for the protection of R.B.C once they are formed. This antioxidant protects R.B.C membrane from destruction by free radicals. Inadequate dietary intake leads to Haemolytic anaemia.

Vitamin A is also found to be deficient in the anaemic patient. It is not known if it causes anaemia or follows it.

A lack of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, CHOLINE result in malabsorption of Iron. These nutrients are required for production of H.C.I (hydrochloric acid), which dissolves Iron before it is absorbed.

Iron absorption can be affected by diarrhoea, chronic use of laxatives, malabsorption disease e.g. SPRUE & CELIAC DISEASE

Recommended Herbs

• Alfalfa                         Highest vitamin and mineral content of all herbs, very high  
•                                     chlorophyll factor.  Blood strengthener
• Nettle                         Stimulates the digestive system, contains high levels of mineral
•                                     salts   and vitamins, especially high in iron, chlorophyl and vitamin C
• Dandelion                  An excellent liver tonic, nutralises acid in the blood,
•                                      traditionally used for anaemia            
• Gentian                      Traditionally used to improve digestion, which may be necessary
•                                       if iron is not being assimilated correctly
• Rosehip                      A high nutrative herb, high in vitamin C which is essential
•                                       for assimilation of Iron 
• Agrimony                    Traditionally used to strengthen the digestive system, contains Iron,
•                                        vitamins B & K
• Yellow Dock                High in Iron, maintains bile stability which is necessary for Iron
•                                       assimilation
• Beetroot                      High in Iron, stimulates spleen and liver 

HIGH QUANTITIES OF IRON

EXERCISE and DEEP BREATHING TO INCREASE OXYGENATION

Deep Tissue Massage to increase circulation of blood 

DIET example - please choose foods highest in Iron from chart below

On Rising
Lemon & Honey drink - warm or fresh Orange Juice or fresh Grapefruit & honey - warm

Breakfast
Oats & honey & cream or butter or yoghurt and fruit - prune, banana, peach, raisins etc or yoghurt & freshly ground nuts, eg almond, hazelnuts walnuts etc or piece of fruit

Mid Morning
steamed Potatoes with butter & herb salt or mango or other fruit or Raisins, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed

Lunch
Pate & salad dippers eg celery, carrot or any other vegetable chopped into sticks or avocado dip with dippers or pumpkin & garlic creamed soup or green salad & cheese

Mid Afternoon
Tonic drink - milk, egg yolk, banana, agar, honey or fruit or nuts

Dinner
Veal in garlic, side salad chicken in garlic, side salad Lambs fry & steamed vegetable & side salad fish in lemon & garlic and side salad

Note in salads use sprouts, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, carrot, tomato, beetroot, parsley, dandelion greens, fennel, Include in the diet daily: citrus juice fresh, tonic drink, bee pollen, fresh coconut

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High Iron foods or foods which help assimilation of Iron

Dried Fruit

*highest sources of.  Or best to assimilate