blog.paleohacks.com Open in urlscan Pro
2606:4700:10::ac43:15df  Public Scan

Form analysis
5 forms found in the DOM

GET https://blog.paleohacks.com/

<form class="search-form" method="get" action="https://blog.paleohacks.com/" role="search"><label class="search-form-label screen-reader-text" for="searchform-1">Search this website</label><input class="search-form-input" type="search" name="s"
    id="searchform-1" placeholder="Search this website"><input class="search-form-submit" type="submit" value="Search">
  <meta content="https://blog.paleohacks.com/?s={s}">
</form>

---

GET https://blog.paleohacks.com/

<form class="search-form" method="get" action="https://blog.paleohacks.com/" role="search"><label class="search-form-label screen-reader-text" for="searchform-2">Search this website</label><input class="search-form-input" type="search" name="s"
    id="searchform-2" placeholder="Search this website"><input class="search-form-submit" type="submit" value="Search">
  <meta content="https://blog.paleohacks.com/?s={s}">
</form>

---

POST https://api.maropost.com/accounts/168/forms/485/subscribe/c749b9ba6a653a7130faefd7e24885d26bc96a1c

<form class="newsletter" action="https://api.maropost.com/accounts/168/forms/485/subscribe/c749b9ba6a653a7130faefd7e24885d26bc96a1c" method="post">
  <div class="optin-interest-wrap">
    <label for="optin-interest-wrap-select">I’m interested in...</label>
    <select id="optin-interest-wrap-select">
      <option>I’m interested in...</option>
      <option>Healthy Recipes</option>
      <option>Weight Loss</option>
      <option>Fitness Information</option>
      <option>All Of The Above</option>
    </select>
  </div>
  <div class="optin-email-wrap">
    <label for="email-field">Email</label>
    <input type="email" id="email-field" name="contact_fields[email]" placeholder="Your email...">
    <label for="commit-field">Get Access Now</label>
    <input id="commit-field" name="commit" value="Get Access Now" type="submit" class="form-headersubmit">
  </div>
</form>

---

POST https://api.maropost.com/accounts/168/forms/2262/subscribe/220a76964cb36356927f92d08c28e304deb0afb8

<form action="https://api.maropost.com/accounts/168/forms/2262/subscribe/220a76964cb36356927f92d08c28e304deb0afb8" class="full_length_box" method="post">
  <div class="form_preview_container">
    <div class="form_preview">
      <label for="contact_fields_email" class="hidden">ContactEmail</label>
      <input type="text" name="contact_fields[email]" id="contact_fields_email" placeholder="Your email..." required="">
      <input type="submit" name="commit" value="Sign me Up!">
    </div>
  </div>
</form>

---

POST https://api.maropost.com/accounts/168/forms/4938/subscribe/59ad701eaffba52a641291ed18bfe83a78a8eea4

<form method="post" action="https://api.maropost.com/accounts/168/forms/4938/subscribe/59ad701eaffba52a641291ed18bfe83a78a8eea4" class="email-form">
  <input type="hidden" class="provider" name="provider" value="form">
  <div class="optin-interest-wrap">
    <select>
      <option>I'm interested in...</option>
      <option>Healthy Recipes</option>
      <option>Weight Loss</option>
      <option>Fitness Information</option>
      <option>All Of The Above</option>
    </select>
  </div>
  <div class="optin-email-wrap">
    <input type="email" class="email" name="contact_fields[email]" placeholder="Your email...">
    <input value="Get Instant Access" type="submit" class="headersubmit">
  </div>
</form>

---

Text Content

 * Menu
 * Skip to right header navigation
 * Skip to main content
 * Skip to primary sidebar


BEFORE HEADER

 * About
 * Advertising
 * Archives
 * Contact

 * Facebook
 * Google+
 * Pinterest
 * Twitter
 * YouTube

Paleo Diet Recipes, Information, and Tips

 * Start Here
 * Topics
   * Health
   * Recipes
   * Fitness
   * Lifestyle
 * Shop
 * Resources
   * Paleo 101
   * Movement 101
   * Paleo Recipes Library
 * Podcast
 * Search
   Search this website

Menu
Search this website
 * Start Here
 * Topics Submenu
   * Health
   * Recipes
   * Fitness
   * Lifestyle
 * Shop
 * Resources Submenu
   * Paleo 101
   * Movement 101
   * Paleo Recipes Library
 * Podcast
 * Search

GET FREE INSTANT ACCESS TO OUR
PALEO FOR BEGINNERS GUIDE & 15 FREE RECIPES!

I’m interested in... I’m interested in... Healthy Recipes Weight Loss Fitness
Information All Of The Above
Email Get Access Now



21 SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES OF ANEMIA (AND HOW TO FIX IT)



by Dr. Marc Bubbs

FacebookTweet3.5kPinPrint

Do you feel sluggish and weak and struggle to get through your day? Here are 21
common symptoms and causes of anemia and how to fix it. 



It’s a very common scenario: a patient comes into my office complaining of
fatigue, struggling to recover from exercise or make it through their workday.
These are all classic signs of anemia, a medical condition that occurs when your
blood doesn’t have enough red blood cells (RBCs).

Your red blood cells carry oxygen around the body and deliver it to tissues and
organs, just like topping up your car’s gas tank with fuel. Not having enough
red blood cells will leave you struggling to get up in the morning, struggling
to find energy for exercise, and struggling to keep your focus at work.

Fight inflammation and create easy, healthy meals! We've created a FREE 7-Day
AIP Meal Plan
Get Your FREE 7-Day AIP Meal Plan here.

Why is your body low in RBCs? While there are a number of reasons, there are
three underlying causes.

First, you don’t make enough red blood cells. This is typically due to low
levels of iron, folate, or vitamin B12, all essential for building RBCs.

Next, you’re losing blood. For women, this is typically via menses every month,
while for others it may be from intestinal bleeding from inflammatory bowel
diseases like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis.

Finally, your body may be destroying its own red blood cells. This is seen in
hemolytic anemias (such as thalassemia, an inherited genetic trait commonly seen
in Mediterranean populations) that destroys RBCs.

How do you know if you might be anemic? Let’s take a closer look at 21 common
signs and symptoms.


1. GENERAL FATIGUE

[tweet_quote] The biggest hallmark of anemia is fatigue. [/tweet_quote] If you
feel sluggish, lack focus at work, or struggle to make it through your day, this
excessive fatigue may be a sign you have anemia.


2. PALENESS

If you gently pull down your lower eyelid and take a look at the skin, it should
be a pinkish color. If you’re suffering from the low-iron form of anemia, it
will look very light pink to white.

Iron-deficient anemia is extremely common; the World Health Organization
estimates that approximately 30 percent of the world’s population suffers from
this condition. (1)

When you don’t get enough iron in your diet, your bone marrow (i.e. the squishy
stuff inside your bones) lacks iron to make hemoglobin, the protein that carries
the oxygen in RBCs.


3. WEAKNESS

Do you feel like you get tired walking up stairs? Do you struggle to make it
through workouts and feel like your muscles just run out of steam?

Weakness is a common symptom of anemia, and can be due to low iron, low folate
(vitamin B9) or low vitamin B12 levels. When folate or B12 are low, your red
blood cells end up being bigger than they should be, medically classified as a
megaloblastic anemia. Today, about 12 million people suffer from low B12 levels.
(2)


4. STRANGE CRAVINGS TO EAT DIRT, ICE, OR CLAY

Sounds a bit funny, but we’re not kidding on this one. If you have cravings for
these non-nutritive substances, it’s an actual medical condition called “pica”
and you’re likely dangerously low in iron. (3) Go see your doctor.


5. COLD HANDS & FEET

Are you always wearing heavy socks to keep your feet warm, even in summer? This
is another classic sign of anemia and low iron levels. Cold hands and feet are
also typically seen in people with sluggish or low thyroid function, another
condition in which low iron is also a common symptom. (4)


6. HAIR FALLING OUT

Do you notice the shower drain is getting clogged with your hair? If your hair
starts to look tattered, feel dry and frail, or has started falling out, then
anemia is a likely cause.

You can get your iron stores in the body checked by running a lab test for
ferritin. Levels above 60-70 are considered ideal, but if your hair is falling
out, your levels may even be as low as single digits.


7. BRITTLE NAILS

If you notice vertical ridges on your nails, you may suffer from poor stomach
acidity. Optimal levels of stomach acid are key for producing intrinsic factor
(IF), a protein needed for you to effectively absorb B12. (5)

Stomach acid is also crucial for iron absorption. If you notice your nails
“spoon” from front to back, taking on a convex shape, it may be a sign of low
iron.


8. TONGUE SWELLING & SORENESS

Like strong cravings for dirt, tongue swelling is a clear sign you need to see a
doctor.


9. DIZZINESS

Although low blood sugar is most commonly thought of as the primary cause of
dizziness, low iron levels are also very high on the list. If you experience
dizziness and multiple other symptoms on the list, then you may be struggling
with anemia.


10. HEADACHES

If you suffer from headaches or migraines during menses, new research shows that
low iron levels may be the root cause. The journal Pain Medicine examined 170
women and found that migraines were significantly more common in females with
low iron levels compared to controls. (6)


11. PERSISTENT FATIGUE

Everyone gets tired from time to time. Whether it’s hitting snooze in the
morning or struggling to stay alert during meetings, we all have difficulty now
and again maintaining our energy.

However, if your fatigue persists for more than 8-12 weeks, you may have
pernicious anemia, a type of anemia characterized by low B12 and intrinsic
factor (IF).


12. HEARTBURN

Contrary to popular belief, heartburn is far more likely to be due to low
stomach acid levels than high. Low levels of stomach acid predispose you to
lower uptake of iron and B12, and anyone taking over-the-counter antacids will
further impair their capacity to absorb minerals.


13. DRINKING TOO MUCH ALCOHOL

The more alcohol you drink, the quicker you deplete valuable B-vitamins,
predisposing you to potential anemia.


14. GRAY HAIR

Melanin is what gives your hair color after birth. However, the amount of
melanin in your body decreases as you age.

The cells that produce melanin, called melanocytes, decrease as you age, causing
your hair to lose pigmentation. Vitamin B12 is essential for healthy hair, and
decreased intake or absorption of vitamin B12 may lead to going gray sooner than
you expect.


15. YOU’RE GETTING OLDER

The risk of anemia increases significantly as you age. Researchers believe it’s
due to a reduction in B12 absorption due to gastric atrophy, a condition where
the stomach muscles shrink and become weaker. (7)


16. A VEGETARIAN OR VEGAN DIET

The risk of anemia increases by 25 percent if you’re a vegetarian. (8)
[tweet_quote] If you’re following a vegan diet, you’re even more likely to have
anemia. [/tweet_quote] For those following a Paleo-vegan or “Pegan” diet,
ensuring you get enough vitamin B12 in your diet is crucial.


17. FAST OR IRREGULAR HEARTBEAT

If you have low iron levels, the increased stress on the heart to pump increased
blood volume to make up for low hemoglobin levels may leave you more susceptible
to fast or irregular heartbeats.


18. HEAVY MENSES

The longer the duration of your monthly menses, or the heavier the flow, the
more at risk you are of low iron levels and anemia. If this is the case, take
extra steps to adjust your diet and increase your intake of iron-rich foods to
meet your increased demands.


19. PREGNANCY

If you’re pregnant, you’re at an increased risk of anemia, because the fetus
requires significant levels of iron and folate for fetal development, leaving
mom more susceptible to anemia. (9)


20. GENETICS

If your family has a history of inherited anemia, such as sickle cell anemia,
where a mutated form of hemoglobin changes the shape of red blood cells, leading
to a half-moon shape at low RBC levels, you may also be at risk.

It’s typically found in people of African descent. Thalassemia is another
inherited blood disorder where your body produces an abnormal form of
hemoglobin, leading to the destruction of RBCs and lower blood levels. (10)


21. YOU SUFFER FROM CHRONIC DISEASE

If you have a family history of a chronic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis,
diabetes, Crohn’s disease, or certain types of cancer, you may be at greater
risk of anemia.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


WHAT SHOULD YOU DO ABOUT YOUR SYMPTOMS?

If you notice that some or many of the symptoms listed here apply to you, it’s
time to go to your doctor and get tested. To diagnose anemia, your doctor will
typically run the following tests:

 * Complete blood count (CBC) – This test will tell you the levels of RBCs in
   your blood and the amount of hemoglobin.
 * Mean Cell Volume (MCV) – This test is included in a CBC and assesses the size
   of the RBCs. If your RBCs are too small, you have iron-deficiency anemia. If
   they are too big, you have megaloblastic anemia from low folate or B12.
 * Ferritin – This test measures the amount of stored iron in your body. Levels
   below 60-70 ug/L are considered insufficient and frank deficiency below 12
   ug/L. (11)
 * Vitamin B12 – Deficiency is currently defined as a blood level < 148 pmol/L
   (200 pg/mL) and marginal status defined as a concentration of 148–221 pmol/L.
   (12) To give you some perspective, functional medical doctors and naturopaths
   typically aim for levels at 600 pmol/L or higher. The gold standard indicator
   for B12 deficiency is elevated methylmalonic acid (MMA) (13).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


FOODS TO FIX ANEMIA

The benefits of following a Paleo approach is that it’s chock-full of
nutrient-dense foods rich in iron, vitamin B12, and folate.

While supplementation can help in the short term, the root cause of correcting
anemia is finding the right mix of foods to include regularly in your diet so
you can maintain healthy levels without added supplementation.

Iron-rich foods include organ meats (all types; chicken liver is typically the
most “palatable” if you’re not an organ meat fan), beef, venison, bison, elk,
lamb, poultry, fish, and leafy greens like spinach and kale. As for vitamin B12,
all meats, eggs, fish, and shellfish are fantastic sources.

If you feel tired, sluggish, struggle to get through workouts, and notice some
or many of the symptoms on this list, it’s worthwhile to do your due diligence
and get yourself assessed.



It’s tough enough getting through busy days, stressful jobs, intense workouts,
and balancing friends and family, so don’t let anemia add another “roadblock” to
your path to better health and vitality.

(Read This Next: The Harmful Effects of Vitamin B12 Deficiency)





Category: HealthTag: fatigue


OTHER POPULAR ARTICLES

ONE Bed-Time Greek Ritual To Reverse Diabetes

30-Second Stretch ERASES Back Pain & Sciatica

This 21-day keto diet challenge aids in rapid fat loss & lowers blood sugar

1 Cup tomorrow morning, burns 3lbs of belly fat

ABOUT DR. MARC BUBBS

Dr. Marc Bubbs, ND is a Naturopathic Doctor, Strength Coach, Author, Speaker,
and Blogger practicing in Toronto, Canada. He believes that diet, exercise, and
lifestyle factors have the most profound impact on your overall health and
performance. Marc is the author of The Paleo Project – A 21st Guide to Looking
Leaner, Getting Stronger, & Living Longer and currently serves as the Sports
Nutrition Lead for Canadian Men’s Olympic Basketball Team.

For more posts by Dr. Bubbs, click here.

 * 
 * 
 * 

Previous Post: « Spicy Honey ‘Soy’ Chicken Skewers
Next Post: 27 Fast, Explosive Plyometric Exercises »


SUBMIT A COMMENT

Show Comments



RELATED POSTS

 * Anxiety: Symptoms, Causes & Natural Remedies
 * 17 Surprising Causes of Disrupted Sleep (Plus: How to Fix Each)
 * Sciatica: What It Is, Common Causes, and How to Fix It
 * Brain Fog: Symptoms, Causes & How to Naturally Treat It
 * Do These 3 Pelvic Floor Exercises Every Day to Fix Low Back Pain
 * 21 Low-Stress Paleo Dinners You Can Make in One Pan
 * COVID-19: Identifying the Symptoms
 * 21 3-Ingredient Breakfast Recipes
 * 5 Symptoms Of Dehydration


PRIMARY SIDEBAR




INSTANT POT VS. SLOW COOKER – THE DIFFERENCE AND WHICH IS BETTER


7 NUT-FREE PALEO FLOUR ALTERNATIVES


THE 14-DAY KETO MEAL PLAN


THE 12 BEST LOW CARB VEGETABLES AND THEIR BENEFITS


THE 7 BEST NATURAL SUBSTITUTES FOR WHITE SUGAR


9 EASY YOGA POSES TO REVERSE BAD POSTURE





SITE FOOTER


 * Facebook
 * Pinterest
 * Twitter
 * YouTube

 * Health
 * Recipes
 * Lifestyle
 * Fitness
 * Podcast
 * Discussion

 * About
 * Archives
 * Advertising
 * Write For Us
 * Contact
 * Affiliates




THANKS FOR SHARING
THIS ON FACEBOOK!

Like us on Facebook for delicious recipes and a lot more!


No Thanks, I'm not interested.
Don’t show me this again


THANKS FOR SHARING OUR ARTICLE!


YOU'RE AWESOME!

Seriously, you're the best. If you liked that article, you'll absolutely LOVE
our daily newsletter -- with more recipes, workouts, and tips and tricks to be
the healthiest version of yourself.

Oh yeah, and when you sign up, we'll also give you some neat free bonuses like
our Paleo for Beginners guide, with 15 extra delicious recipes!

ContactEmail
×





I'm interested in... Healthy Recipes Weight Loss Fitness Information All Of The
Above


Privacy Policy

×