Facts About... Foods To Beat Anaemia

Up your iron intake to reduce your risk and manage symptoms

- Rose Goodman

If you’re not entirely in the know when it comes to anaemia, put simply, it’s a condition that leads to you having fewer red blood cells than normal or an abnormally low amount of haemoglobin – a substance that transports oxygen around the body. The most common type of anaemia is iron deficiency, which can be managed by increasing the amount of iron in your diet. Food surveys show that most healthy adults get enough of the vitamins and minerals essential for good health, but there are still gaps – most of which appear to affect women. We asked Healthspan nutritionist Rob Hobson for the low-down on this common disease and the important role your diet has to play.

Iron deficiency symptoms

• Unusual weakness and fatigue

• Poor concentration

• Pale complexion

• Brittle nails

• Muscle soreness

• Recurrent infections

• Always feeling cold

• Breathlessness

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms and you think you may be at risk of an iron deficiency, then the first course of action is to visit your GP, who can run a blood test to assess your status.

If your results show a low level of iron, then you will be advised to take supplements such as Healthspan IronCare (£6.95 for 120 tablets), as well as being given advice about the foods you should be including more of in your diet (listed in Richest Food Sources box), so you can increase your intake.

Its role and factors that affect the status