Tired of being anemic. Ba dum dum!

ReyneDrop

Thanks for the ideas! I know I can see a doctor but I wanted to know if any one else struggles with this and what they've done or if there is a simple solution that I'm not seeing-- other than taking a pill.

Again, for those of you that eat iron-fortified cereals, is it not canceled out when you eat it with milk or yogurt? Just curious how that works.

It's not fully cancelled out. It's not like you eat a little bit of calcium and suddenly your body says it can't take in any iron. It pretty much all works out by concentration. Typically speaking, if you eat a serving of grape nuts (90% DV Fe) with half a cup of milk (15% DV Ca), you're going to absorb at least some of the iron.

But if you're really worried about it, eat it dry. I happen to love the taste of grape nuts in water! Adding just 2 tbsp a day will give you a really good iron boost.

ALH1981

I have chronic severe anemia due to celeaci disease - i get intravenous iron infusions in hospital every few months to bring my feritin levels back up (my body wont store it)

Other things to use are:
- folic acid (with vitamin C)
- Kale
- spinach
- oysters
- liver

also try to cut down on coffee/tea amd alcohol which inhibit iron absorption.

HogSandwich

As far as I'm concerned, when your doctor tells you to take some, they stop being supplements and start being medication. I'm like this with iron and vitamin D, my body just does not seem to retain these at all, so I take supplements.

I'd agree that it's best coming from food, but can you fathom the sheer amount of food you'd have to eat each day to get all the nutrients you need?

Songbird1104

Blackstrap Molasses.

It's chock full of iron; I took it while I was pregnant and after my daughter's birth to get my levels back up. It also has lots of other great benefits: keeps your stools loose so you don't get constipated (a common drawback of iron supplements), and contains vitamins, too.

I just put a few heaping tablespoons into a glass of hot water and throw in a bit of milk, but you can drink it to taste, or incorporate it into cooking recipes. It doesn't taste bad.

I've found it at farmer's markets, and recently saw it in the organic section of Giant Food Stores. Make sure it's blackstrap, not regular molasses. Good luck!

malayabee

Definitely see a doctor... Angular chelitis can also be caused by a vitiman B deficiency.

I'm anemic, and take a daily iron supplement with a vitamin C supplement. I started on a "high" dose, and have gradually been decreasing my iron dosage under my doctor's supervision. Watch your caffeine intake with iron; caffeine can sometimes slow the absorption. As can calcium and other minerals. I usually take my iron and C first thing in the morning with a glass of water, and then have my coffee an hour or two later.

There are TONS of foods that are high in iron, if you're not interested in taking a supplement... But honestly, taking a supplement is often the easiest way to get the iron your body needs. Fresh veggies often lose some of their nutrient content as soon as they are picked... Factor in travel time and time on the shelf, and you may not be getting as much iron from your spinach as you think you are.

ReyneDrop

Blackstrap Molasses.

It's chock full of iron; I took it while I was pregnant and after my daughter's birth to get my levels back up. It also has lots of other great benefits: keeps your stools loose so you don't get constipated (a common drawback of iron supplements), and contains vitamins, too.

I just put a few heaping tablespoons into a glass of hot water and throw in a bit of milk, but you can drink it to taste, or incorporate it into cooking recipes. It doesn't taste bad.

I've found it at farmer's markets, and recently saw it in the organic section of Giant Food Stores. Make sure it's blackstrap, not regular molasses. Good luck!

Added benefit: high in potassium! While I know that's not your problem... most women love the anti-bloating effects of high K!