How to Naturally Treat Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy

Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy is fairly common. As the blood volume increases during your pregnancy, your body needs more iron to make hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. If your body isn't making enough iron to support the pregnancy, you are considered anemic. The most common course of treatment is supplementation with iron tablets; however, there may be some unpleasant side effects such as constipation and vomiting. The following steps offer natural ways to treat iron deficiency anemia.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Eat a healthy, iron-rich diet that includes: plenty of greens, molasses, whole-wheat products, seaweeds, dried fruits and nuts, sprouts, cooked beans, enriched pasta, meats, fish and poultry.

2. Increase your intake of folic acid. Folic acid is a B vitamin found in leafy green vegetables, whole grains, whole milk, mushrooms, salmon and orange juice. Folic acid also helps your body absorb iron from foods more readily.

3. Drink plenty of fluids, especially fresh juices that contain high levels of Vitamin C. Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron from foods; however, stay away from coffee, tea and red wine. These are considered iron inhibitors and will limit the absorption of iron.

4. If you can find nettle tea, you can drink a few cups a day. Nettle tea is extremely high in iron. You can find nettle tea from whole food stores or your local health food stores. If you have trouble finding it, you can always order it online and make your tea using a tea ball.

5. You can take an herbal tonic called Floradix. Floradix is very high in iron and it just takes a teaspoon or so a day. Floradix can be found at local health food stores.

6. If none of the steps above work, you can take iron supplements; however, do not just take an iron supplement off the shelf. Either have your doctor write a prescription or get a good quality supplement from a health food or whole food store.

Tips & Warnings

• Some iron supplements may cause constipation. If you experience unpleasant side effects such as constipation or nausea and vomiting, consult your healthcare practitioner.
• Watch for signs of anemia which are: exhaustion, palpitations, fainting and paleness.
• There are many types of anemia. Before you start a course of treatment, make sure that you are treating the correct type.

[MyJB]

on 8/2/2009 This is article is well-written and full of good information for enriching the diet with iron when you're pregnant. Your tips and suggestions are also appropriate for women who feel run-down or are anemic. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. 5*