QuestionHi Dr. Aukerman,
I am writing an article for Delicious Living Magazine on anemia. I
am looking for three different perspectives about how to cure
anemia--one from a nutritionist, one from an MD and one from
an ND. I thought you might be a good fit for the second
category. Do you think you could answer 2 brief questions?
1) What usually causes anemia and what are the symptoms?
2) What steps would you recommend (from an MD's perspective)
an anemic person take to cure his/her condition--meds,
lifestyle, etc?
I know you're busy and greatly appreciate any help you can offer.
If you want to send me your address, I can make sure the editors
send you a copy of the magazine when it comes out.
Thank you so much,
Christine Spehar
303-917-2673
Answer1) What usually causes anemia and what are the symptoms?
Anemia is usually related to blood loss or lack of iron, B12 and folic acid in the diet. In younger women the most common would be blood loss from menstrual flow and lack of iron, B12 and folic acid in the diet of older women and men.
Anemia in younger men is usually from gastrointestinal loss from ulcer disease. Hemolytic anemia in people who eat ice can occur at any age and improves with the stoppage of the ice eating fetish.
2) What steps would you recommend (from an MD's perspective) an anemic person take to cure his/her condition--meds, lifestyle, etc?
Once the cause is determined and fixed, then I have them take iron tablets plus a high potency B Complex and vit C twice a day OR eat 4-8 ounces of spinach twice daily until their anemia has been corrected for at least 3 months to fill the depleted iron stores. If in a stressful lifestyle, I recommend yoga, meditation or relaxation therapy daily for life to correct all the stress mechanism. I generally recommend they decrease the acid foods in their diets permanently if they have an ulcer.
The OSU Center for Integrative Medicine
2000 Kenny Road
Columbus, Ohio 43221
614-582-3520 if you have further need for discussion
