Nurses Corner

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Old Spice and Anemia

Us Southerners have a habit of spicing up pretty much everything that we put in our mouths. Spicing greens with vinegar is one, and as it happens, vinegar and lemon juice sprinkled on greens help liberate minerals--thus making iron more easily absorbed in the body.


And ya'll thought we were dumb, tsk tsk.


On that note, there are some veggies that bind to iron and prevent your body from absorbing it, spinach and rhubarb, particularly. Both of these veggies contain oxalic acid, which is the culprit.


If you're taking iron supplements, try having it with a glass of orange juice, or with citrus fruits. These measures will help your body absorb iron, and keep the constipation blues away. Iron supplements are notorious for creating that little problem.

A powerful, yet little known anemia cure is strawberry tea. Pick about 3 tablespoons of the leaves, crush them, put them in boiling water. Steep the tea for 5 minutes. Scoop the leaves out (or use a strainer) relax and enjoy.

While you're at it, you might as well dip the berries in chocolate and really enjoy yourself ;)