Anemia: The Key to Boosting Iron Levels

Anemia is a condition marked by low hemoglobin levels in the blood. Anemic people offer suffer from fatigue because their body is depleted of the oxygen levels needed to function properly. While there are many different forms of hereditary anemia, like sickle cell, the most common form is iron-deficiency anemia which is entirely treatable with a change in diet and iron supplements.

Bone marrow requires iron to produce hemoglobin, so when the body doesn't intake enough iron, the body cannot produce healthy red blood cells. Iron-deciency anemia can be caused by an iron-poor diet (common in youth and vegetarians), pregnancy, frequent blood donation, endurance training, and sometimes caffeine can negatively impact the body's ability to utilize iron. Children need 7-11 mg of iron a day, and women from 19-50 years of age need 18 mg (though they could potentially require more during pregnancy). Men and women over 51 years of age need 8 mg.

Here are some iron-rich foods to try to incorporate into your diet:

• MEAT AND EGGS
• Beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, pork
• SEAFOOD
• Shrimp, clams, oysters, tuna
• VEGGIES
• Spinach, peas, sweet potatoes, broccoli, collard greens, kale
• FRUIT
• Strawberry, watermelon, figs, prunes, raisins
• BEANS AND OTHER
• Tofu, beans, lentil