Nutritional anemia

Anemia is defined as a deficiency in the number or size of red blood cells or a decrease in hemoglobin (protein that carries oxygen) they contain.

Although some types of anemia are caused by bleeding, genetic diseases or chronic illnesses, most anemias are caused by a deficiency of the nutrients required for normal formation of red blood cells, mainly iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid.
These anemias are called nutritional anemias.

The main nutritional anemias are:

Iron deficiency anemia

This type of anemia due to iron deficiency is the most common nutritional anemia in the population. It is characterized by small production of red blood cells and low hemoglobin and can cause symptoms such as fatigue, palpitations, decreased learning capacity, lower strength for heavy work, lack of appetite or stunted.

Preventing this type of anemia it is done by eating iron-rich products such as meat, fish, chicken, liver, prepared from blood, cereals, legumes and green leafy vegetables.

The availability of iron in these foods varies from each other and while the iron from animal foods is well absorbed (about 15%), iron in plant products is absorbed in smaller amounts (3-8%) .
It is important to note that there are substances like vitamin C (found in fresh fruits and vegetables) that increase iron absorption, while other substances such as oxalates, phytates and tannins (found in unrefined grains, soybeans, tea or coffee) that decrease iron absorption.

Megaloblastic anemia
This type of anemia is due to deficiency of folic acid and vitamin B12 and is characterized by the production of large, immature red blood cells. The main causes of this type of anemia include a diet low in fruits and vegetables and inadequate absorption of folic acid due to the consumption of drugs or alcohol or that the person has celiac disease diet.

Preventing this type of anemia it is done by consuming foods rich in folic acid such as liver, fish, green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits and cereals.

Pernicious anemia

AnemiaEs prevent a type of megaloblastic anemia is due to vitamin B12 deficiency and causes weakness, fatigue, hair loss, irritability and memory loss. This deficit is caused by a lack of intrinsic factor (protein necessary for the absorption of B12 vitamia diet) and in rare cases as a result of a strict vegetarian diet as this vitamin is found exclusively in animal products.

Preventing this type of anemia it is done by consuming products rich in vitamin B12 such as meat (mainly beef and pork), eggs, milk and dairy products.

Other nutritional anemias

There are other less common types of nutritional anemia and sideroblastic anemia (due to a deficiency of vitamin B6) or anemia due to copper deficiency.