Iron deficiency anemia can be caused by an insufficient amount of iron in your diet, poor absorption of iron or blood loss from menstruation or internal bleeding. Determining the cause of your anemia will help you choose the best treatment. Usually a change in diet or iron supplementation is all that is needed, but according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, "Severe iron-deficiency anemia may require treatment in a hospital, blood transfusions, iron injections, or intravenous, or IV, iron therapy."
Step 1
Eat more red meat. Beef and liver are the best sources of "heme" iron, which is the easiest type of iron for your body to absorb. Pork, poultry and seafood are also good sources of heme iron. If you are a vegetarian, eat non-heme sources of iron, including eggs, spinach, peanuts and peanut butter, lentils, peas and dried fruits.
Step 2
Eat foods rich in vitamin C, such as red bell pepper, kiwi and citrus fruits to increase the absorption of non-heme sources of iron, recommends the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adding mandarin orange slices to spinach salad or a vegetable stir-fry using peanut oil are good ways to combine vitamin C with foods rich in non-heme iron.
Step 3
Cook your food in a cast iron skillet, which does raise the amount of non-heme iron in your food. Adding some heme iron will increase the absorption of non-heme iron 400 percent.
Step 4
Avoid caffeine, which blocks the absorption of iron. Don't drink caffeinated beverages with your food, suggests the U.S. Department of Agriculture Children's Nutrition Research Center.
Step 5
Take an iron supplement as prescribed by your doctor. Look for a ferrous sulfate supplement and have your iron levels checked regularly. Too much iron in your diet can lead to stomach irritation and constipation.
Tips and Warnings
- Milk decreases the absorption of iron.
- Iron deficiency is common in children, due to periods of rapid growth. Iron deficiency can lead to your body absorbing more lead -- children living in older homes may be at a higher risk for lead poisoning.
References
- Kids Health.org: Iron Deficiency Anemia
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: How Is Iron-Deficiency Anemia Treated?
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Iron and Iron Deficiency
- Ask the Dietician: Iron
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine: Should I give my 3-year-old son iron supplements to prevent anemia?
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