Anaemia

Description

A reduction in the Oxygen-carrying capacity of the Blood resulting from a deficiency in the quantity of Red Blood Cells or Hemoglobin in the Blood.

Forms of Anaemia

Aplastic Anaemia: Results from insufficient manufacture of Red Blood Cells by the Bone Marrow.

Haemorrhagic Anaemia: Caused by loss of blood.

Iron Deficiency Anaemia: Results from lack of Iron (which is necessary for the production of Hemoglobin).

Haemolytic Anaemia: Results from the increased destruction of Red Blood Cells.

Megaloblastic Anaemia: Results from the presence of Megaloblasts in the Blood.

Methaemoglobinaemia: Results from the conversion of Haemoglobin in Red Blood Cells to the toxic Methaemoglobin.

Pernicious Anaemia: Results from a deficiency of Vitamin B12

These Substances Alleviate or Prevent Anaemia

ENDOGENOUS SUBSTANCES

Hormones

Erythropoietin stimulates the production of Red Blood Cells, thereby alleviating Anaemia [scientific research - supplemental synthetic Erythropoietin is utilized by orthodox medicine in the treatment of Anaemia caused by dialysis and may also alleviate Anaemia that is caused by other factors].

Proteins

Haemoglobin deficiency is a common cause of Anaemia.

EXOGENOUS SUBSTANCES

Amino Acids

Glutamine helps to prevent Anaemia.

Histidine alleviates Anaemia.

Anaemia can occur as a result Lysine deficiency.

amino acid

noun

chemical compound which is broken down from proteins in the digestive system and then used by the body to form its own protein; proteins are first broken down into amino acids

essential amino acids = eight amino acids which are essential for growth, but which cannot be synthesized and so must be obtained from food or medicinal substances

COMMENT: amino acids all contain carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen, as well as other elements. Some amino acids are produced in the body itself, but others have to be absorbed from food. The eight essential amino acids are: isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine

Minerals

The Iron deficiency form of Anaemia (obviously) occurs as a result of Iron deficiency.

Nucleic Acids

Megaloblastic Anaemia can occur as a result Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) deficiency.

Vitamins

Anaemia can occur as a result of Biotin deficiency.

Folic Acid helps to prevent the Megaloblastic form of Anaemia.

Megaloblastic Anaemia can occur as a result of Vitamin B12 deficiency.

Vitamin C helps to prevent Iron deficiency Anaemia (by facilitating the absorption of Iron) - Anaemia also occurs as a result of Scurvy which in turn occurs as a result of Vitamin C deficiency.

Vitamin E helps to prevent Anaemia.

These Foods and Herbs Alleviate Anaemia

Alfalfa reputedly alleviates Anaemia [folklore].

Beetroot (juice) alleviates Anaemia.

Ginsengs alleviate Anaemia by increasing Leucocytes and Haemoglobin counts in Anaemia sufferers [scientific research].

Lettuce alleviates Anaemia.

Nettle (tea) alleviates Anaemia [folklore].

Wheat Grass (juice) reputedly alleviates Anaemia [anecdotal].

Yellow Dock alleviates Anaemia.

These Substances Can Cause Anaemia

ENDOGENOUS SUBSTANCES

Proteins

Methaemoglobin is responsible for Methaemoglobinaemia.

EXOGENOUS SUBSTANCES

Minerals

Boric Acid (the Mineral Acid form of Boron) causes Anaemia.

Cadmium can cause Anaemia (due to Cadmium competing with Copper for absorption).

When the Ferrous form of Iron that is normally present in Haemoglobin is oxidized to Ferric Iron, Methaemoglobin replaces Haemoglobin and the Methaemoglobinaemia form of Anaemia results.

Sulphuric Compounds

Allicin causes the oxidation of the Iron in Haemoglobin to Methaemoglobin resulting in the Methaemoglobinaemia form of Anaemia.

These Foods Can Cause Anaemia

Active Constituents

Excessive consumption of raw Garlic can cause Anaemia by oxidizing the Iron in Haemoglobin causing the production of Methaemoglobin. Allicin

These Ailments (or Conditions) can Cause Anaemia

Digestive System

Anaemia can occur as a result of chronic Constipation.

Anaemia can occur as a result of Crohn's Disease.

Anaemia can occur as a result of Ulcerative Colitis.

Immune System

Anaemia can occur as a result of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Sexual System - Female

Pregnancy increases the risk of Anaemia for females (due to females requiring additional Iron during Pregnancy - if the requirement for additional Iron is not met, Anaemia can result).

Toxic Effects of Anaemia

Cardiovascular System

Anaemia causes fewer Red Blood Cells to be produced and those, which are produced, are smaller in size and paler in color.

Metabolism

Fatigue can occur as a result of Anaemia.

Jaundice can be a side effect of Haemolytic Anaemia (due to the destruction of excessive numbers of Red Blood Cells).

Musculoskeletal System

Pale Skin can occur as a result of Anaemia.

Nervous System

Neuralgia can occur as a result of Anaemia.

Vertigo (dizziness) can occur as a result of Anaemia.