Anemia is a condition in which the body is lacking healthy red blood cells. These blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen to your tissues. When this does not happen as often as it should, the result can be fatigue or feelings of tiredness.

Other signs and symptoms of anemia include:

• Weakness
  
  
• Pale skin
  
  
• A fast heartbeat
  
  
• Shortness of breath
  
  
• Chest pain
  
  
• Dizziness
  
  
• Cognitive problems
  
  
• Headache
  
  

Anemia can be acute or chronic, and it can range from mild to severe. An estimated 3.4 million Americans are affected with this condition.

To understand what causes anemia, we must first understand the components involved.

Plasma and cells make up the blood. The cells float within the plasma. There are 3 types of blood cells:

White blood cells - These blood cells fight infection.

Platelets - These blood cells aid in blood clotting.

Red blood cells (erythrocytes) - Through your bloodstream, these blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs, brain and the other organs and tissues. In order for your brain to function properly, it needs a supply of oxygenated blood. These red blood cells contain hemoglobin which is a red, iron-rich protein that gives blood its red color. Hemoglobin makes it possible for oxygen and carbon dioxide to be transported throughout the body.

Red blood cells, like most other cells are produced regularly in a red, spongy material found within the cavities of many of your large bones called bone marrow. Both hemoglobin and red blood cells, are produced from iron and vitamins that the body absorbs from the foods you eat.

Anemia occurs when the number of red blood cells or the hemoglobin in them is less than normal. When a person becomes anemic, the body produces minimal healthy red blood cells, loses too many of them or destroys them faster than they can be replaced. As a result, sufficient amounts of oxygen cannot be transported to the tissues. This leaves a person feeling fatigued or tired.

The common forms of anemia include:

Iron deficiency anemia - This is the common form of anemia and is caused by a shortage of iron in the body. Since your bone marrow needs iron to make hemoglobin, inadequate amounts of it result in decreased amounts of red blood cells.

Vitamin deficiency anemia - Aside from iron, folate and vitamin B-12 are needed by the body to produce sufficient numbers of healthy red blood cells. Insufficient amounts of these and other key nutrients can cause decreased red blood cell production.

Chronic disease anemia - Certain chronic diseases like cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and other chronic inflammatory diseases can inhibit the production of red blood cells, resulting in chronic anemia. Kidney failure also can be a cause of anemia.

Aplastic anemia - This form of anemia is life threatening and is caused by a decrease in the bone marrow's capacity to produce red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Many times, the cause of aplastic anemia is unknown, but it's believed to often be an autoimmune disease.

Anemia associated with bone marrow disease - These forms of anemia are usually caused by a variety of diseases, such as leukemia and myelodysplasia, which affect blood production in the bone marrow.

Hemolytic anemia - When red blood cells are destroyed faster than bone marrow can replace them, this group of anemia develops.

Sickle cell anemia - This form of anemia which mainly affects people of African and Arabic descent is mostly genetic and sometimes very serious. It is caused by a defective form of hemoglobin that forces red blood cells to assume an abnormal crescent (sickle) shape which die prematurely, resulting in a chronic shortage of red blood cells.

If you have been diagnosed with anemia there are, as always natural alternatives available to you which include:

Iron - Take 50 to 100 mg daily in the form of iron citrate, ferrous gluconate, glycinate or fumarate to restore iron deficiency. Increase absorption by taking 250 to 500 mg of Vitamin C with each dose of iron.

Spirulina - This nutrient rich whole food stimulates the bone marrow production of red blood cells. I recommend 2,000 mg daily.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) - Holds high iron content, cleanses the blood and detoxifies the liver. Be sure its made from dandelion root and take 3 to 5 grams daily.

Folic Acid (800 mcg twice a day) plus Biotin (300 mcg twice a day) - Both are essential for red blood cell production.

Vitamin B12 - Essential in red blood cell production. Take 2,000 mcg 3 times a day.

Blackstrap Molasses - Contains iron & essential b vitamins. Adults take 1 tbsp twice a day. Children & infants take 1 tsp added in milk or formula.

Also remember to include apples, apricot, asparagus, bananas, kelp, leafy greens, parsley, peas, plums, prunes, raisins and whole grains. Eat foods high in vitamin C to aid in the absorption of iron.

Avoid beer, coffee, candy bars, dairy & soft drinks as the additives in these foods interfere with iron absorption.

Do not eat foods high in iron at the same time that you eat food high in fiber because iron is removed through the stool.

Avoid foods high in oxalic acid which interferes with iron absorption. These foods include almonds, cashews, chocolate, cocoa, kale, soda, spinach and most nuts and beans.