Anaemia is a condition that occurs when there is a low count of red blood cells, haemoglobin, or red cells in the bloodstream. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and pale skin.

Medical dictionaries list over 100 potential causes of anaemia and iron storage disorders. These can include nutritional deficiencies, chronic diseases, genetic disorders, and certain medications. Diagnosing the underlying cause of anaemia is crucial to effectively treating the condition.

Causes of Anaemia

Anaemia can be caused by a variety of factors. Some forms of anaemia are inherited, such as sickle-cell anaemia and thalassemia. These types of anaemia are caused by genetic mutations that affect the production or structure of haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.

Other types of anaemia can be caused by nutrient deficiencies, including iron, copper, and vitamin B12. Iron deficiency anaemia is one of the most common forms of anaemia worldwide and can result from inadequate iron intake, poor absorption of iron, or blood loss. Copper and vitamin B12 deficiencies can also lead to anaemia, as they are both essential for the production of healthy red blood cells.

In some cases, anaemia may be caused by a failure of the bone marrow to produce enough red blood cells. This can occur as a result of cancer, chemical exposure, or drug reactions.

Haemolytic anaemias are another type of anaemia that can result from excessive destruction of red blood cells. These can be either inherited or acquired, and may be caused by conditions such as autoimmune disorders, infections, or medication reactions.

Anaemia can also be caused by internal bleeding or the presence of toxic levels of lead or other poisons. Infections caused by bacteria, viruses, protozoa, or parasites may also lead to anaemia, as these organisms can attack and destroy red blood cells.

Identifying the underlying cause of anaemia is crucial to effectively treating the condition. Treatment options may include dietary changes, nutrient supplementation, medication, or other forms of medical intervention depending on the underlying cause of the anaemia.

Iron Deficiency Anaemia

Anaemia caused by a lack of iron, known as iron deficiency anaemia, is prevalent among individuals who have experienced blood loss, menstruating or pregnant women, and children who consume iron-deficient diets or rely on milk as their primary source of nutrition.

Fortunately, iron deficiency anaemia is typically easy to treat. In many cases, increasing iron intake through dietary changes can resolve the issue. However, it's crucial to consider iron supplementation as a last resort when treating anaemia caused by iron deficiency. Before opting for iron supplements or liver tablets, it's important to first rule out the possibility of copper deficiency anaemia. This is particularly true if increasing iron intake through diet fails to improve the condition. If a microcytic or iron deficiency-type anaemia persists despite an increase in iron intake, it could suggest the presence of copper deficiency anaemia.

Copper Deficiency Anaemia

Copper deficiency anaemia is a type of anaemia that results from inadequate copper levels in the body. Copper is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including the production of red blood cells. When copper levels are low, normal blood formation is disrupted, and the body cannot efficiently convert ferrous to ferric iron, a process that is necessary for the incorporation of iron into haemoglobin. This can lead to a decrease in the number of red blood cells, resulting in anaemia.

One way to identify copper deficiency anaemia is through a low hair copper level, which is commonly found in individuals with fast oxidization. It is important to note that copper deficiency anaemia may resemble iron deficiency anaemia on a blood test, making it easy to confuse the two. Low copper levels may also be accompanied by low levels of calcium and zinc and a low sodium/potassium ratio.

Biounavailable copper, which refers to copper that is not properly utilized by the body, can be identified through hair copper levels that are either too low or too high, low sodium or potassium levels, or elevated calcium levels. However, a low zinc/copper ratio is not always sufficient to identify the type of copper imbalance.

To address copper deficiency anaemia, it is essential to restore proper copper metabolism. For individuals with low copper levels and fast oxidization, a chelated copper supplement can be effective. However, for biounavailable copper, a small amount of copper may be temporarily helpful, but full correction requires restoring adrenal gland activity. The adrenal glands stimulate the liver to produce ceruloplasmin, the primary copper-binding protein that cells require to utilize copper. This often involves a Mineral Balancing program which involves working on diet and healthy lifestyle practices.

Mineral Balancing can also be an effective solution to address copper deficiency anaemia by providing the body with the necessary minerals to properly utilize copper. Adequate intake of minerals such as zinc, and magnesium can improve copper metabolism and increase haemoglobin production. Additionally, Mineral Balancing can help correct any imbalances in other minerals, such as calcium and potassium, which may be contributing to the copper deficiency. Mineral Balancing can help restore optimal copper levels and improve blood formation, thus addressing copper deficiency anaemia.

Lead Induced-Anaemia

Lead is a harmful metal that can accumulate in the body over time, causing a variety of health problems. Among the less common yet significant effects of lead toxicity are its contribution to anaemia. This occurs because lead inhibits the incorporation of iron into the heme molecule, which is required for the production of haemoglobin - the protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. This inhibition can result in a type of anaemia called hypochromic microcytic anaemia, characterized by small and pale red blood cells. Additionally, lead can also inhibit 5-nucleotidase, an enzyme necessary for red blood cell production, leading to haemolytic anaemia. This type of anaemia causes red blood cells to be destroyed faster than they can be produced, resulting in symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and jaundice.

Chronic lead toxicity can be identified through hair analysis, and excessive lead exposure can occur through air, water, or soil contamination, or through occupational exposure in industries such as mining, battery manufacturing, and lead smelting. Prevention of lead-induced anaemia involves avoiding lead exposure, particularly in vulnerable populations like pregnant women and children.

Mineral Balancing can help with lead-induced anaemia in several ways. It can reduce the absorption and retention of lead in the body, promote its excretion, and restore the normal function of enzymes and other biological processes disrupted by lead toxicity. For instance, minerals like calcium and magnesium can compete with lead for absorption and binding sites in the body, reducing lead absorption and retention. Similarly, zinc and copper can compete with lead for binding sites in enzymes and other proteins, and adequate intake of these minerals can help restore their normal function.

Moreover, Mineral Balancing can support the body's natural detoxification pathways, promoting the elimination of lead from the body. Adequate intake of vitamin C and other antioxidants can enhance the activity of detoxification enzymes, facilitating the excretion of lead and other toxins. Additionally, Mineral Balancing can address nutritional deficiencies that may be contributing to lead toxicity. Iron, calcium, and other mineral deficiencies can increase lead absorption and retention, exacerbating the effects of lead toxicity on the body.

In conclusion, Mineral Balancing can be an effective approach to addressing lead-induced anaemia. By improving the absorption and utilization of essential nutrients like iron, Mineral Balancing can help mitigate the harmful effects of lead on the body's production of red blood cells.

Vitamin Deficiency

Blood formation, also known as haematopoiesis, is a complex process that involves the production and maturation of different types of blood cells in the bone marrow. Several vitamins play a critical role in this process, and deficiencies in certain vitamins can lead to anaemia.

Vitamin B6 is essential for the synthesis of heme, a component of haemoglobin, which is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Deficiencies in vitamin B6 can lead to a type of anaemia called sideroblastic anaemia.

Vitamin B12 and folic acid are required for the maturation of red blood cells. Deficiencies in either of these vitamins can lead to a type of anaemia called megaloblastic anaemia, which is characterized by abnormally large and immature red blood cells.

Vitamin C is necessary for the absorption of iron, which is essential for the production of haemoglobin. Deficiencies in vitamin C can lead to a type of anaemia called iron deficiency anaemia.

Malabsorption, which can be triggered by gluten sensitivity or other factors, may also contribute to anaemia. Malabsorption can lead to deficiencies in vitamins and minerals essential for blood formation, including vitamin B12 and iron.

People with certain conditions, such as alcoholism, may struggle to maintain a balanced diet, which can increase their risk of developing anaemia. Alcohol can also interfere with the absorption of vitamins and minerals essential for blood formation.

Moreover, strict vegetarian diets may not provide sufficient vitamin B12, which is primarily found in animal products. Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to a severe form of anaemia known as pernicious anaemia. Vegetarians can obtain vitamin B12 from fortified foods or supplements.

Infections and Anaemia

Chronic or acute infections can cause anaemia by affecting the body's ability to produce or maintain an adequate number of healthy red blood cells. Infections can trigger an immune response that can cause the body to divert resources away from red blood cell production to fight off the infection.

During an infection, the body's immune system releases cytokines and other molecules that cause inflammation. These molecules can inhibit the production of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production. Additionally, the immune response can lead to the destruction of red blood cells in the body.

One of the ways the body tries to combat bacterial infections is by reducing the availability of iron, which is an essential nutrient for bacteria. Iron is necessary for bacterial growth and replication, and limiting its availability can help control the infection. The body does this by reducing the absorption of iron from the diet and by sequestering iron in storage sites.

During an infection, the body replaces iron with copper because copper has antimicrobial properties and can help fight off bacterial infections. However, this switch can also result in a reduction in the availability of iron for red blood cell production, leading to anaemia.

Supplemental iron during infection may worsen the condition because it can promote bacterial growth and replication. This can lead to a worsening of the infection and a further reduction in the availability of iron for red blood cell production. There are many chain reactions that occur when taking supplements, and it is one reason why replacement therapy simply doesn’t work for most people.

The key to addressing anaemia caused by infections is to treat the underlying infection. This can involve the use of antibiotics or other medications to control the infection and reduce inflammation. Once the infection is under control, the body can resume normal red blood cell production and restore haemoglobin levels to normal.

Iron Storage Conditions

Hemosiderosis and hemochromatosis are rare iron storage diseases that can result in severe illness. In these diseases, iron is stored in tissues, rendering it biounavailable. This build-up of iron can lead to conditions such as cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes, cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and even feelings of anger and hostility.

It is not advisable to take iron supplements without a clear indication that they are necessary. Men, in particular, may struggle to excrete excess iron. Additionally, many processed foods and white flour are already enriched with iron, and some vitamin supplements may contain added iron. Some water supplies may also contain high levels of iron. Consequently, consuming iron-enriched foods and taking supplements can result in excessive iron intake.

At times, an initial hair analysis may not reveal iron toxicity. Biounavailable iron may result in a low hair level, similar to biounavailable copper. Eliminating excess iron may take several months on a nutritional program.