Ayurvedic Remedies (Iron Deficiency and Anemic)
Iron deficiency effects 2 out of 3 people in developing countries, and it is the most common nutritional disorder in the world according to WHO. Iron deficiency is a condition resulting from too little iron in the body. Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency and the leading cause of anemia in the world. About 66% to 80% of the world’s population is suffering from Anemia.
The human body needs iron to make the oxygen-carrying proteins hemoglobin and myoglobin. Hemoglobin is found in red blood cells and myoglobin is found in muscles. Myoglobin is a protein that helps supply oxygen to muscle, and in enzymes that assist biochemical reactions in cells. About 15 percent of the body’s iron is stored for future needs and mobilized when dietary intake is inadequate. The remainder is in body’s tissues as part of proteins that help in body functions. Iron is mostly stored in the body in the hemoglobin. Without oxygen, the body's cells cannot function normally. About 30 percent of iron is also stored as Ferritin and hemosiderin in the bone marrow, spleen, and liver. Iron is present in many foods and absorbed into the body through the stomach. During this process of absorption, oxygen combines with iron and is transported into the plasma portion of blood by binding to trans Ferrin. From there, iron and transFerrin are used in the production of hemoglobin (the molecule that transports oxygen in the blood), stored in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, and utilized as needed by all body cells. When sufficient quantity of iron is supplied in the food or absorbed by the body, all the above processes are affected and the efficiency of the body is reduced.
Heme and non-heme iron are two forms of iron in foods. Heme iron is found in meats, poultry, and fish. Non-heme iron is found in both plant and animal foods. Heme iron is more easily absorbed by the body than non-heme iron. However, heme iron can also promote the absorption of non-heme iron.
There are many causes of iron deficiency anemia.
As per - National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3), Prevalence of anemia is High in India and
70-80% - children
70% Pregnant Woman
60% Woman
24% Adult men suffer from Iron deficiency anemia with or without knowing. Human Body is made up of about 3.5 g iron and only 10% of consumed iron is absorbed in the body. 60-70% of the iron is present in Blood. Phytates, Oxalates, Carbonates, Phosphates, Dietary fiber inhibit Iron absorption inside the body. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for iron in healthy adults is 10 milligrams per day for men and 15 milligrams per day for pre-menopausal women.
What causes iron-deficiency anemia?
Iron-deficiency anemia may be caused by the following:
- Diets low in iron
- Iron is obtained from foods in our diet, however, only 1 mg of iron is absorbed for every 10 to 20 mg of iron ingested.
- A person unable to have a balanced iron-rich diet may suffer from some degree of iron-deficiency anemia.
- Body changes
- An increased iron requirement and increased red blood cell production is required when the body is going through changes such as growth spurts in children and adolescents, or during pregnancy and lactation. One milligram of iron is lost daily through hair, fingernails, dead skin cells and other detritus.
- Gastrointestinal tract abnormalities
- Malabsorption of iron is common after some forms of gastrointestinal surgeries. Most of the iron taken in by foods is absorbed in the upper small intestine. Any abnormalities in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract could alter iron absorption and result in iron-deficiency anemia.
- Blood loss
- Loss of blood can cause a decrease of iron and result in iron-deficiency anemia. Sources of blood loss may include GI bleeding, menstrual bleeding, or injury. The average daily loss for menstruating woman is one and half milligrams. That one or one and a half is the daily need. Premenopausal women's iron needs are higher than men's needs because women lose iron during menstruation.
- Iron and vegetarians
- Iron is found in food in two forms, heme and non-heme iron. Heme iron, which makes up 40 percent of the iron in meat, poultry, and fish, is well absorbed. Non-heme iron, 60 percent of the iron in animal tissue and all the iron in plants (fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts) is less well absorbed. Vegetarian diets only contain non-heme iron. Because of this, iron recommendations are higher for vegetarians than for non-vegetarians.
What are the symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia?
The following are the most common symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently.
Symptoms may include:
- Abnormal paleness or lack of color of the skin
- Irritability
- Lack of energy or tiring easily (fatigue)
- Increased heart rate
- Sore or swollen tongue
- Enlarged spleen
- A desire to eat peculiar substances such as dirt or ice (a condition called pica)
What affects iron absorption?
Iron absorption refers to the amount of dietary iron that our body obtains from food. Healthy adults absorb about 15% of the iron in their diet, but the actual absorption is influenced by body’s iron stores, the type of iron in the diet, and by other dietary factors that either help or hinder iron absorption.
The greatest influence on iron absorption is the amount stored in the body. Iron absorption significantly increases when body stores are low. When iron stores are high, absorption decreases to help protect against iron overload.
Iron is needed for :
- RBC production
- Brain function
- Oxygen transport
- Regulate Body temperature
- Energy production
- Cell growth
- Cell Proliferation, etc.,
Efficacies :
- Good bio availability compared to other iron supplements
- Enhanced iron absorption in the body
- Reduces prevalence of Iron deficiency anemia
- Improves iron status of anemic
- Improves Hemoglobin in the body
- Helps in Zinc absorption in the body
- Prevents iron deficiency anemia
- Helps to improve Immunity
Who Needs Iron Capsules?
- Vegetarians
- Children
- Adolescents
- Adult Women
- Pregnant and lactating women
- Women who have heavy periods
- All anemic people
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