10 Foods To Fight Anemia

Causes of anemia

We have already seen that anemia due to lack of iron is the most common and that it can be due to a diet low in this mineral, intestinal malabsorption or excessive blood loss. Blood loss may be due to bleeding, heavy menstruation, a consequence of surgery, or the presence of tumors. The body makes fewer and smaller red blood cells, with less hemoglobin, the protein that carries and releases oxygen to cells.

Anemia can also be caused by a lack of folic acid or vitamin B12, which produces large and fragile red blood cells. Vitamin B12 is frequently due to malabsorption due to intrinsic factor deficiency (a gastric protein), while folic acid is more common when demands increase.

Both iron and folic acid can be obtained from plant foods. However, vitamin B12 must be supplemented if a vegan diet is followed.