Preventing Iron Deficiency Anemia

Method 1 of 3: Preventing Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia.^[1] Since iron is necessary to make hemoglobin, lack of iron in the blood leads to anemia. This type of anemia can be caused by excessive blood loss (as from surgery or trauma), a diet low in iron, or the presence of a disease that prevents the body from absorbing iron correctly. Pregnancy can lead to iron deficiency anemia if the expecting mother doesn't consume enough iron.

1
Eat a diet rich in iron. Getting your iron through nutritious natural foods is better for your body that taking iron supplements (though those can help, too). Examine your diet to determine whether your iron intake is low. Eating these iron-rich foods can help prevent anemia:

^[2]
- Red meats, such as lean beef or beef liver
- Shellfish, such as clams, oysters and shrimp
- Beans and legumes, such as lentils and green peas
- Leafy greens, such as spinach and collards
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2
Cook using iron pots and pans. Using cast iron cookware is a good way to get iron. Small amounts of iron leach into the food as it cooks, giving you a healthy dose that doesn't affect the taste of your meals. It's a useful trick to know if you don't like eating red meat. A good cast iron skillet will last the rest of your life, so it's worth the small investment.
3
Get plenty of vitamin C. The presence of vitamin C helps the body absorb iron more efficiently. Make sure you are getting the recommended daily dose of vitamin C - 250 mg. Like iron and other vitamins and minerals, it's better to get your vitamin C in the form of healthy foods instead of supplements, if possible. Incorporate more of the following foods into your diet:
- Peppers
- Kale
- Brussels sprouts
- Broccoli^[3] and cauliflower
- Strawberries
- Papaya
- Pineapple
- Kiwi
- Mango
4
Take iron supplements. To make especially sure that you're getting enough iron, you might want to take over the counter iron supplements. Adding a multivitamin to your routine will help ensure that you take in an adequate amount of vitamin C, too.^[4]
5
Check your medications. Certain medications can make people more prone to getting anemia. If you're on medications that may put you at risk, ask your doctor whether there's another medication that will do the job without causing you to become anemic. The following medications may lead to anemia:^[5]
- Cephalosporins
- Dapsone
- Levodopa
- Levofloxacin
- Methyldopa
- Nitrofurantoin
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (especially if used frequently)
- Penicillin and its derivatives
- Phenazopyridine (pyridium)
- Quinidine
6
Get treated for underlying conditions. In some cases, you won't be able to keep your iron supply up by eating well and taking supplements. If you have an underlying condition that is predisposing you to anemia, it's important to get treatment instead of trying to prevent anemia on your own. The following conditions can lead to anemia:
- Excessive menstrual bleeding. This condition is called menorrhagia, and it refers to heavy bleeding that lasts more than 7 days. This condition itself can have a range of underlying causes, so it's important to see your doctor.
- Crohn's or celiac disease. These disease prevent the body from absorbing iron the way they should, and require medical treatment.^[6]
- Ulcers, colon polyps or colon cancer. These conditions can cause excessive bleeding that leads to anemia.

Method 2 of 3: Preventing Vitamin Deficiency Anemia

Low levels of vitamin B12 or folate commonly cause this type of anemia. Both vitamin B12 and folate are necessary for the body to produce red blood cells. People who don't eat meat and other foods containing B12 and folate are susceptible, as are people with underlying medical problems that prevent their bodies from correctly absorbing these vitamins.

1
Eat foods containing vitamin B12. This vitamin is naturally found in animal products, which is why vegans and vegetarians often have a B12 deficiency. Consider incorporating some or all of the following foods into your diet:^[7]
- Fish, such as salmon, trout, and tuna
- Shellfish, such as clams
- Eggs
- Dairy products, such as cheese and yogurt
- Fortified cereals (look for cereals fortified with 100% of the recommended daily value of vitamin B12)
2
Take B12 supplements. If you're having trouble getting enough B12, taking supplements is necessary. Vitamin B12 supplements are usually composed of cyanocobalamin, which the body converts into what it needs.^[8] It's very difficult to get enough B12 through supplements alone, so supplements should ideally be taken in conjunction with a diet high in vitamin B12.
3
Take prescription medication. B12 is available in the form of either a gel or injections by prescription. This is a good option if you are struggling to get B12 by other means. Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your options.^[9]
4
Eat foods with folate. A folate deficiency can also be corrected by eating a diet with folate rich foods. Folate is also a B vitamin, but it can be found in many plant-based foods in addition to animal products. Try eating more of these foods:^[10]
- Beans, peas and other legumes
- Fortified breakfast cereals with 100% of the daily recommended amount of folate
- Leafy greens like spinach, mustard greens and collards
- Broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower
- Bananas
- Peanuts
- Avocados
- Shellfish
- Beef liver
5
Take folate supplements. Folate is often combined with B12 vitamins in the same supplements. You can also find stand-alone folate or take it as part of a multivitamin.
6
Get treated for underlying conditions. Like Iron Deficiency Anemia, Vitamin Deficiency Anemia can be caused by underlying conditions that prevent the body from properly absorbing nutrients. If your deficiency does not improve after incorporating B12 and folate into your diet, it's important to determine whether something else might be at play.

Method 3 of 3: Dealing With Other Types of Anemia

Unfortunately, some types of anemia are not preventable. If you have an underlying medical issue or a blood disease that prevents your body from producing red blood cells, you won't be able to avoid anemia on your own. Seeking medical help to understand and treat the disease is the best way forward.

1
Get treatment for anemia caused by underlying medical issues. Some diseases prevent the body from making the correct number of red blood cells. The most common of these is kidney disease.^[11] If you have a disease that makes you prone to anemia, getting treatment is absolutely necessary. Eating a lot of iron and avoiding situations that may cause injury will also be important.
2
Get treatment for anemia caused by blood disease. Sometimes anemia is inherited in the form of a blood disease. Unfortunately, these inherited diseases are impossible to prevent. Knowing that you have the disease is the important first step to getting proper treatment. The following blood diseases cause anemia:
- Sickle cell anemia. The red blood cells of people with this disease are shaped like sickles, making them prone to getting stuck in blood vessels and blocking blood flow.
- Thalassemia. This causes the body to make less hemoglobin than normal, leading to anemia.
- Aplastic anemia. This disorder causes the body to stop making enough new blood cells, including red blood cells. This can be caused by outside factors like certain cancer treatments, exposure to toxic chemicals, drugs, infections, and other causes.

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