O blood it is formed by several cell types, including red blood cells or erythrocytes. An iron-rich pigment called hemoglobin is found in red blood cells. Hemoglobin is responsible for transporting oxygen through the blood to all parts of our body. Also, it gives color to the blood.
When a person is low on hemoglobin or red blood cells, we say they are anemic. This means that oxygen is not transported efficiently. A person with anemia is weak, tired, short of breath, pale skin, among other symptoms. Some research even indicates that people with anemia are more likely to contract diseases.
One of the main anemias is caused by iron deficiency in the body. This anemia is one of the biggest nutritional problems in the world! It is usually caused by low iron intake. To treat this type of anemia, it is enough to replace iron through food and ingestion of ferrous sulfate. Did you know that beans, dark leaves, walnuts and chestnuts, red meat (especially liver) are great for treating anemia?
In addition to low iron intake, this anemia can be caused by heavy blood loss. This blood loss can occur due to bleeding in the digestive system and excessive menstrual flow, for example.
A child with iron deficiency anemia may have growth retardation and their learning ability affected. In pregnant women, anemia can lead to low birth weight and even reduced gestation time.
There is also the anemia called sickle cell, in which the person produces a different hemoglobin that cannot capture oxygen in the same way. Also, her red blood cells are different from normal people, instead of being rounded, she is sickle-shaped. In this case, as it is a genetic disease, a diet rich in iron will not correct the problem. Sickle cell anemia is a disease that is closely related to malaria. People with this type of anemia are more resistant to the disease.
by Vanessa dos Santos
Graduated in Biology
