When the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells to provide adequate oxygenation of its tissues, doctors diagnose the condition as anemia. Of the different types of anemia, nutritional anemia stems from a vitamin or mineral deficiency. This deficiency results from an inadequate or imbalanced diet, or its origin may be an underlying disorder.
Step 1
Ask your doctor to explain your particular type of anemia. The three types of nutritional anemia stem from deficiencies of iron, B-12 or folic acid. Iron-deficiency anemia is the most commonly occurring nutritional anemia. Each type results in a reduction of red blood cells that causes low hemoglobin and low blood oxygen levels.
Step 2
Know the symptoms of anemia. Contacting your doctor in a timely manner allows for early intervention and the prevention of profound nutritional anemia. One of the main symptoms of anemia is a feeling of tiredness. Other symptoms of the disorder include chest pain, a fast heartbeat, weakness, headache, pale skin, feeling lightheaded and shortness of breath.
Step 3
Educate yourself on the causes of anemia. This allows you to intervene to prevent anticipated episodes of anemia. Causes of iron-deficiency anemia include poor dietary intake of the mineral, pregnancy and any condition resulting in blood loss. Some medications also increase your risk of iron-deficiency anemia, and the same is true of folic-acid anemia and vitamin B-12 anemia. Other causes of these two anemias include poor dietary intake and underlying absorption disorders, such as celiac disease.
Step 4
Follow your doctor's guidelines for intervention. For all types of nutritional anemia, expect your doctor to prescribe oral supplements and recommend additions to your diet. Additional treatment for vitamin B-12 deficiency involves injections of the vitamin.
Tips and Warnings
- Foods high in iron include green leafy vegetables, red meat, almonds and beans. Good sources of vitamin B-12 are green leafy vegetables, eggs, cheese, meat and tuna. Folic acid-rich foods include orange juice and grains.
