Patient/caregiver was educated on life-style measures to be observed by individuals with history of iron deficiency anemia as follows:
- Poor dietary habits and malnutrition in individuals happens to be one big reason for iron deficiency anemia. Observe compliance with good balanced dietary habits and calorie intake requirements, as recommended, to prevent iron deficiency anemia.
- Heme iron is less available and easily absorbed form of iron by the human body. Organ meat and sea food are highly rich in heme iron. Incorporate good amounts of organ meat and sea food in your diet to help boost your iron content and prevent worsening of anemia.
- Vegetarians must include rich amounts of beans, greens, lentils, eggs, and dry fruits in the diet to help supplement iron. But, be aware that vegetarian diets have mostly nonheme iron that is poorly absorbed in the human body.
- Iron needs acidic environment, to get absorbed in the small intestine. Gastric acid secreted in the stomach maintains the needed acidic environment for iron absorption. Any medications that can interfere with acid production and function, such as, antacids, can alter the acid environment needed and taken just before or at the same time with iron rich foods and iron supplements, can inhibit iron absorption. Avoiding intake of antacids immediately before or at the same time with iron rich foods and iron supplements, can help improved absorption of iron.
