IRONING OUT A COMMON PROBLEM

On a number of occasions I have been told by my doctor after a blood test that I am Anaemic, which is a common blood disorder. Symptoms include weakness, fatigue, poor concentration, shortness of breath, irregular or delayed menstruation, and malaise (which I just found out means "a general feeling of being unwell"!)

There are actually a few different types of anaemia, but they all come down to having a decreased number of red blood cells or a less than normal amount of hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin is what transports oxygen from the lungs to the working cells and tissues, and is therefore essential for proper function. Without it, bodily systems must work under hypoxic conditions (a lack of oxygen), and usually suffer. Imagine trying to do a Run or Boost class to the best of your ability while only breathing through a straw!

The most common form is Iron-deficiency anaemia (iron being the major component of hemoglobin), and can be caused by a low-iron diet, the inability to absorb iron, and blood loss. Females are more likely to have this condition, especially those with heavy periods or who are pregnant.

Prevention is the key, and a daily diet of iron-rich foods is important. Try red meat and poultry, seafood, eggs, iron-fortified food, beans, peas, spinach, nuts, seeds and dried fruit. Iron from meat is more readily absorbed by the body, and consuming vitamin C when eating an iron-containing food will help to enhance absorption. However, by the time you are anaemic, your doctor may put you on iron supplementation to top up your iron stores (and of course, to meet your daily iron requirements).

So how many iron-rich foods have you consumed today to avoid iron-deficiency anaemia? It's a problem that's relatively easy to manage but can affect your life (and training!) so take a look at your diet, take a multivitamin and don't be afraid to see a doctor if symptoms persist.