One thing to look out for if you have a vegetarian or vegan diet is this, are you getting enough iron and B12? These two vitamins are essential and a deficiency in these can lead to anaemia. Ladies in particular need to make sure they get enough iron as we are more susceptible to an iron deficiency due to menstruation (sorry guys). Signs of iron deficiency anemia include:
- weakness
- fatigue
- general malaise
- pale skin colour/pallour
- Shortness of breath on exertion (in severe anemia)
Iron rich foods include: green, leafy vegetables; beans; dried apricots, prunes, raisins, and other dried fruits; almonds; seaweeds; parsley; whole grains; and yams
Vitamin supplements can also be helpful.
A deficiency of vitamin B12 is called pernicious anemia, the symptoms are slightly different from iron deficiency anemia and include the following:
- weakness,
- an abnormally rapid heartbeat (tachycardia),
- shortness of breath,
- chest pains,
- an upset stomach including diarrhea,
- difficulty walking,
- numbness and tingling in the extremities,
- lack of color (pallor) in the lips, gum, and tongue,
- depression.
- Pernicious anemia may cause inflammation of the tongue (glossitis). It is also associated with premature greying, blue eyes, vitiligo, and blood group A.It is also associated with unpredictable periods of fatigue and an inability to concentrate. Irreversible Central Nervous System (CNS) damage may have occurred prior to treatment. Scissors gait can appear as a late sign of unchecked anemia.
- Some sufferers also report mouth ulcers, joint pain and tinnitus as associated with the onset of pernicious anemia.
I’ve been diagnosed with aneamia before and it’s not fun! However taking some vitamin pills with vitamin C combined (vitamin C helps your body to absorb iron) and eating some yummy fresh broccoli and spinach and some cereal fortified with iron and B12 pepped me right up!! These days though whenever get a test my iron and B12 levels are fine. I think it’s because I eat a much healthier and more varied diet nowadays as well as popping the occassional multi vitamin.
More on this subject soon!
with love
Miss V
xoxoxoxoxox
