iron deficiency anemia overview by Mekdar.com
أنيميا نقص الحديد ... مع مقدار


iron deficiency anemia - أنيميا نقص الحديد


Anemia is a condition in which too few red blood cells are in circulation. The most frequent cause is iron deficiency.

Symptoms include weakness, fatigue, irritability, mood swings, headache, exercise intolerance, pallor and shortness of breath.

The most common cause of iron deficiency is blood loss, usually through menorrhagia or gastrointestinal bleeding. It may also be caused by inadequate iron intake.

Treatment involves resolving the patient’s iron deficiency, as well as addressing the underlying etiology.

Oral iron supplements or in cases of poor absorption, intramuscular and intravenous iron treatments are available.

Iron rich food sources: Liver; kidney; beef; oyster; dried fruits; dried peas and beans; nuts; and dark green leafy vegetables are among the foods that rank highest in iron content.

Iron from animal food is 3 to 4 times much more absorbable than iron from plant sources.

Simultaneous intake of ascorbic acid present in fruits and vegetables increases absorption of iron. For example, a glass of lemon juice contains sufficient vitamin C to significantly increase iron absorption from foods.

If taken with meals, tea can reduce iron absorption by 50%. So try to avoid its intake 2 hours after iron rich meals. Some factors in vegetable fiber may also inhibit iron absorption.

Daily needs of iron: Adult female needs 18 mg iron/day, while adult male needs 8 mg iron/day.

Examples of iron content in 100 gram of raw food:

100 gm chicken liver contains 9 mg iron

100 gm beef liver contains 5 mg iron

100 gm beef heart or kidney contains 4.6 mg iron

100 gm oyster contains 4.6 mg iron

100 gm beef contains 2.7 mg iron

100 gm chicken contains 1 mg iron

100 gm spinach contains 2.7 mg iron

100 gm beans contains 3 mg iron

100 gm prunes contains 0.9 mg iron

Waleed Foad

Dr. Waleed Foad

Physician Nutrition Consultant, For 15+ years

Master degree in Public Health, Majoring: Nutrition


Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)


Alexandria University, Egypt.

Posted on
20 Jan 2020
by:
Walaa Foula

Dr. Walaa Foula

Physician Nutrition Consultant, For 17+ years

Doctorate degree in Public Health, Majoring: Nutrition


Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)


Alexandria University, Egypt.

Posted on
20 Jan 2020
by:
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