Iron Deficiency AnemiaSara Merley

Nutrition – Professor Brown

Definition Iron deficiency anemia is caused from a shortness

of iron in the body. “[Iron] is a component of hemoglobin (which transports oxygen within red blood cells) and some enzymes” (Hoehn, Marieb).

The iron-rich protein, hemoglobin, is essential to the transportation of oxygen to the body’s tissues.

http://www.hematology.org/Patients/Blood-Disorders/Anemia/5225.aspx

In America, there are over 3 million people effected by anemia.

Heme vs. Non-HemeHEME IRON – “Iron provided from animal

tissues in the form of hemoglobin and myoglobin. Approximately 40% of the iron in meat is heme iron; it is readily absorbed” (Wardlaw).

NON-HEME IRON – “Iron provided from plant sources and animal tissues other than in the forms of hemoglobin and myoglobin. Non-heme iron is less efficiently absorbed than heme iron; absorption is closely dependent on body needs” (Wardlaw).

Symptoms of IDA Paleness or “Sallow Skin” Extreme fatigue / lack of energy Chest pain Shortness of breath Headaches Feeling weak Rapid heart rate Sore or smooth tongue

Poor appetite / unusual cravings for non-nutritional substances such as ice or clay.

An uncomfortable crawling feeling in your legs

Cold hands and feet Irritability Brittle Nails

Common Causation of Iron-Deficiency

Anemia 1) Most predominately, lack of iron within

the food one consumes. 2) Blood Loss; most prevalent in women

because of menstruation. 3) Pregnancy; because of the increased

blood volume and source of hemoglobin as the fetus grows.

4) Inability to absorb the iron consumed into one’s bloodstream.

Population DistributionBecause iron-deficiency anemia can simply

be caused by lack of iron in the diet, it can happen at any time in a person’s life. There are factors in which it appears to be more common however:

Women with heavy menstrual bleeding. Women whom are pregnant or

breastfeeding with recently given birth. People with a gastrointestinal disease such

as Celiac or Crohn’s disease. Vegetarians and Vegans.

Other Causes of IDA:

Hemorrhoids Frequent blood donations Intravascular Hemolysis (condition where

RBC break down in the blood stream then causing a release of excess iron into the urine).

Stomach / Bowel Ulcers

Lack of Iron in One’s Diet;

How much is enough? Women 19-50 years old need to consume 18

milligrams per day. Men (all ages) and women over 50 only have to consume 8 milligrams.

Diet is one of the most prevalent ways of becoming iron-deficient anemic. Especially in women 19-50 whom do not consume a great deal of iron-rich foods.

Diagnosed, how much is enough?

In patients diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia it is recommended that they consume 2 – 5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day.

Still is highly advised to discuss the proper amount with one’s doctor.

Diagnosis Process IDA is diagnosed through a blood test of a

complete blood count; when someone is diagnosed the test results usually show: Low hemoglobin and hematocrit Low mean cellular volume Low ferritin Low serum iron High transferrin Low iron saturation

Iron-Rich Foods Clams (3 ounces) 14 milligrams Spinach (1 cup) 6.4 milligrams Kidney Beans (1 cup) 5.3 milligrams Pot Roast (4 ounces) 3.9 milligrams Sirloin Steak (4 ounces) 3.8 milligrams Garbanzo Beans (1/2 cup) 2.4 milligrams Baked Potato (average 1) 1.7 milligrams

More general food overview

MEAT: beef or lamb; especially organs meats and dark meats.

FISH: primarily shellfish. LEAFY GREENS: broccoli and turnip greens. LEGUMES: Lima beans, peas, and black-

eyed peas. IRON-ENRICHED: pastas, grains, and

cereals.

More Iron Cook with a cast-iron pan; some of the iron will be absorbed into the food.

IRON supplement;

In my opinion, the best iron supplement is “Slow FE” since taking an iron supplement can cause constipation.

Absorption of IronVitamin C is extremely helpful to the

absorption of iron. As one consumes iron, vitamin C will wrap around the iron ions protecting it against destruction from stomach acid; so that then the iron may reach the small intestine where it is absorbed in the duodenum and first part of the jejunum.

Interesting fact: children are encouraged not to drink more than 16 to 24 ounces of cow’s milk per day because it can in turn, inhibit the absorption of iron.

Other treatment Red blood cell transfusions – are performed

for patients with severe iron-deficiency anemia. For example, severe bleeding, chest pain, and weakness.

Intravenous Iron – this is used for iron-deficient patients whom, have the tendency to not absorb iron well in the gastrointestinal tract, have extreme blood loss, are receiving a hormone that increases blood loss, or cannot tolerate taking an iron supplement.

DIET PLAN – DAY 1 Breakfast –

Oatmeal (iron-enriched) Fried egg (cooked on cast-iron pan) SLOW FE iron supplement with 1 cup

orange juice 4 prunes ½ cup blueberries

SNACK – Handful of raw almonds and walnuts.

Lunch – Spinach salad with: turkey, broccoli,

and brown rice. 1 Orange

Dinner – Top sirloin steak 1 baked potato Peas and green peppers Strawberries

DAY 2 Breakfast –

Cheerios (iron-enriched) with cranberries.

2 fried eggs (on cast-iron pan) Strawberries SLOW FE iron supplement with

orange juice.

SNACK – Cashews and almonds

Lunch – Clams & Oysters 1 baked potato Cantaloupe

Dinner – Beef Liver Lentils Broccoli Prune Juice and blueberries

DAY 3 Breakfast –

Oatmeal Fried Eggs Blueberries SLOW FE iron-supplement with

orange juice.

SNACK – Chickpeas and broccoli

Lunch – Bean soup (kidney & white beans) Grapefruit White bread toast

Dinner – Prime rib steak with sliced raw

almonds Baked potato Green beans Strawberries

QUESTIONS! (: What is one very common cause of iron-

deficiency anemia?

What are three foods that are high in iron?

What are three symptoms that could indicate a person has iron-deficiency anemia?

Bibliography Works Cited

Marieb, Elaine N., and Katja Hoehn. "Chapter 2 and Chapter 17." Human Anatomy & Physiology. Eighth ed. San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin Cummings, 2010. 26-642. Print. Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Iron-deficiency Anemia." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 04 Mar. 2011. Web. 03 Mar. 2012. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/iron-deficiency-anemia/DS00323>. Tsang, Gloria. "Iron Rich Foods for Iron Deficiency Anemia." Nutrition Advice by Registered Dietitians. Healthcastle Nutrition Inc., 20 Feb. 2012. Web. 03 Mar. 2012. <http://www.healthcastle.com/iron.shtml>. Unknown. "American Society of Hematology." Iron-Deficiency Anemia. American Society to Hematology, 2011. Web. 03 Mar. 2012. <http://www.hematology.org/Patients/Blood-Disorders/Anemia/5263.aspx>. Wardlaw, Gordon M., and Anne M. Smith. "Chapter 9: Water and Minerals. Glossary." Contemporary Nutrition. Eighth ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011. 347-78. Print.