The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Krystal (Rochester, Ny) on 10/08/2010
★★★★★
I use to be a die hard blood donor for years. The ARC turned me down a lot now due to low iron from my Pica/period. I took 1 tbs of blackstrap molasses (non sulfured kind) with water a day, drank beetjuice with apple once a week and my hemoglobin levels shot up fast! I have more energy, I am happier, hair grew back, I gave blood to those who need it now (how ironic huh? @_@), and my pica is cured!
Chlorophyll
Posted by Litsa (Fairbanks, Alaska) on 10/06/2010
★★★★★
I just want you to know for people who suffer for anemia I use chlorophyl-1 tsp full in the morning mixing with water and drink it everyday you will see fast results. I hope this help
Carao Fruit
Posted by Neesy917 (Milwaukee, Wi, Usa) on 04/30/2010
★★★★★
My son took the carao syrup as directed 2x a day and after a couple of months his anemia resolved. This was after iron supplements were not helping.
General Feedback
Posted by Saliza (San Jose, Ca) on 04/23/2010
It would not hurt to have your doctors check for this condition if your anemic condition does not improve. Thalassemia affects both males and females. The condition causes the body to make fewer healthy red blood cells and less hemoglobin than normal. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. It also carries carbon dioxide from the body to the lungs. People who have thalassemias can have mild or severe anemia. This condition is caused by a lower than normal number of red blood cells or not enough hemoglobin in the red blood cells.
It occurs most often among people of Italian, Greek, Middle Eastern, Asian, and African descent.
It is good to know if you are a trait of Hemoglobin Alpha, Beta, or worse, so that you can find the right solution to your health problem.
Check National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes' website for more details. Oakland, CA also has a center dedicated for children having this condition.
General Feedback
Posted by Tamara (Fort Collins, Colorado) on 04/22/2010
Anemia is not a condition that means you are low in iron. Anemia is a decreased amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood. The hemoglobin carries oxygen from your lungs to your cells and if there is not enough hemoglobin, your cells do not receive enough oxygen. You will notice some people with anemia are really pale because the blood doesn't have enough oxygen. Iron is found in the hemoglobin, in fact, about 75 percent of the body's iron stores are contained in the hemoglobin.
The type of anemia that most people probably hear about is called hypochromic microcytic anemia (meaning low color and small size of hemoglobin) of which the most common cause is iron deficiency, hence the recommendation from doctors to take iron supplements. It is said that about 20% of women of child bearing age are anemic due to this type of anemia from the loss of blood from menses. Finding out your iron ferritin levels is a start to see if iron supplementation would work for you, however, oftentimes iron supplements do not work and are potentially dangerous. There are many, many other types of anemia and causes, like sickle cell anemia or the mal-absorption of other nutrients like B12/folic acid/copper, or hypothyroidism (a reason many people have cold hands is because oxygen is not being carried there). A treatment plan for anemia first consists of finding where the anemia stems from and then assessing how to best correct it. For instance, is it low iron counts or is it because the iron is not being absorbed properly or not used efficiently?
I absolutely stand behind food sources for iron rather than supplementation because of the whole package that a true, whole food presents. Nature has supplied us with little packages of nutrition that include many of the synthesizing minerals and vitamins that are needed to treat our bodies. For instance, for iron to be fully absorbed it needs the help of copper, B12, folic acid and vitamin C (probably among a few others). There are many sources in the plant food kingdom that have this potent combination, such as green leafy vegetables. Animal foods do, according to convention, have the most absorbability of iron, but in this day and age animal products come with so much baggage, that it wouldn't hurt to eat some more raw spinach or romaine lettuce anyway. My point is, anemia can be caused by things other than low iron counts, and even then, iron supplementation is not the only route to treat low iron (ugh and yuck). Lisa saw improvement with chlorophyll because it is nearly identical to hemoglobin as it is the blood of plants, and it shows that nature is here to help, without all of the binders and fillers that give us trouble like iron pills do. Always consult with your doctor or naturopath to find the true cause of your anemia and take control of your health with education and a little bit of diet intervention.
Chlorophyll
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 04/22/2010
★★★★★
I just want to add that I was severely anemic throughout my childhood and had to go every couple of weeks for blood tests. It was a terrible experience especially for a child. Anyway, I was always taking iron supplements. So, why was there no real change? From my understanding, iron is very difficult for our bodies to integrate. Often, when women are pregnant they will be given iron supplements which then cause the woman constipation, along with all of her other issues that come with pregnancy!
Well, I have an interesting story. When I was pregnant with my first son, I was also selling these amazing vitamins for a small company. Simultaneously, my midwife checked my blood to find that I was severely anemic. She warned me that it was so severe she would not be willing to deliver my baby if this was not changed immediately. Well, the company I was selling for had run a contest for sales and I won which included a luncheon with the founder who was also a biochemist. He was a very sweet man and I told him my predicament because at the time I was a committed vegetarian. He told me the answer was simple. To take liquid chlorophyll which I could obtain from the health food store. He explained (in a simplified manner, I'm sure) that chlorophyll is the "blood" of plants and helps facilitate the building of our blood. I immediately went and got that and added it every morning to my smoothie. The next visit to my midwife was astounding. She looked at me, her eyes wide and smiling and asked what I'd done. My blood was absolutely fine. When I told her she was thrilled and so was I!
I have since given this advice to several people and the results have been the same. One was my husband's granny who at the time was well into her 80's and the drs. threatened to hospitalize her if they didn't see her red blood count go up. My mother-in-law at the time knew how much I studied alternative healing and asked my advice. She immediately put granny on chlorophyll and voila! the next visit the drs. were astounded and couldn't believe it. I asked my mother-in-law if she explained but she said she didn't feel comfortable doing that.
Anyway, if you have issues with anemia, consider chlorophyll instead of iron. Much easier on the body... Lisa
Vitamin C, Raisins
Posted by Victor (Hartford, Wi) on 02/12/2010
★★★★★
Just a note to anyone who is experiencing difficulty with anemia, my wife was also having this problem anytime she tried to donate blood. Being an avid reader on the internet I found a article that vitamin C will assist in the absorption of iron, my suggestion to her was to eat a handful of raisins, and take vitamin C before giving blood. Results were no more iron deficiency when giving blood.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Jan (Falmouth, Ma, Usa) on 02/11/2010
In reply to Marti in Olathe, KS, I too have low iron and have been taking BSM. I had to go through a bone biopsy and they did a stain on the bone, thus finding out that I was low in iron. And yes, I have been reading that milk and dairy products do interfere with the absorbtion of iron, so I drink 1 tbs. of BSM w/soy milk daily, put it in a blender and it tastes really good. I also keep oranges on hand, as well as juice. I eat an orange a day. As he stated, I have read that vit. c helps to absorb the iron. I have yet to find out how this goes, but I will post on this as soon as I get results from my hemotologist.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Marti (Olathe, Ks) on 02/09/2010
Just an FYI - milk (and also tannins from regular tea) interfere with the absorption of iron. I've read that vitamin C assists with iron absorption so taking BSM with Orange Juice could be more effective.
Blood Building Recipe
Posted by Bai Li (Houston, Texas) on 09/11/2009
★★★★★
Building Blood in Preparation for Surgery
I don't know who first gave us the recipe, but it is said that it really works:
Take a pound of beef stew meat (or any other cut you can get, no or low fat) and put it into a Glass canning jar, some do this without any added water, some add
only a little, not higher than the level of the meat. Put the lid and band on the canning jar, and put this into a canner or large deep pot, add some water and put the lid on the pot, bring to a boil, then simmer for 6 hours. All of the IRON is cooked out of the meat and into the water. Give this to the person who is anemic or anticipating surgery, and also give them Black Strap Molasses, the one with the highest iron, calcium and magnesium, listed on this website, ONE tablespoon along with the beef broth. This will shock the doctors, just how fast it will build the blood. We are giving my mother 1 cup three times a day. So you may need to cook several pounds, jars at a time. Our friends are doing this for us too, and one of them got about 1 quart of juice from 4 (four) pounds of beef.
IMPORTANT: Don't fill the jars too full, because when it is boiling you can lose some of the juice into the pot, and any juice lost is IRON lost. Leave at least a couple of inches above the meat in each jar. There are other treatments that will help and if you email me, I will reply with what else we are doing, that you may not have heard of, and you can ask your doctor for these too. The reason that this works so well is that the HEME from meat it very quickly absorbed by the body, but the HEME from vegetables is slowly absorbed by the body. You can find more information about this on the internet.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Nataly (London, UK) on 09/03/2009
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I have been taking black strap molasses 2-3 tsps a day now for the past four weeks, for low iron level anaemia, within a few days I noticed a marked improement, feeling stronger, emotionally and physially, eyelashes looked longer, hair much softer, eyes large and healthy! I had already been taking two tsps of ferrous sulphate twice a day under medical supervision.
I took the black strap molasses for pain in the ankle and leg due to the low iron, I do not think this helped with this but also take some tumeric power which undoubtably has helped and the symptoms are gone.
But I have noticed an increased in fine body hair on the arms and legs... what is this caused from? I also take a bit of cumin each day.
Look forward to your comments. Also should I lower the dose of the iron supplement or the molasses?
Pumpkin Seeds
Posted by Jules (Toronto, Canada) on 06/16/2009
★★★★★
Tried this remedy for about 3 months, iron levels have improved so much.
Just want to say thanks.
Cream of Wheat
Posted by Crstline99 (Crestline, CA) on 06/12/2009
★★★★★
You can try cream of wheat to bring up iron. I used it before surgery, because I had to give blood to myself two weeks in a row before surgery. My iron went up a lot. enough that the nurse taking my blood made a comment on how unusual it was for someone's counts to go UP after giving blood the week before.
Beetroot
Posted by John Moore (Ayutthaya, Thailand.) on 04/08/2009
I would like to simply tell of some very useful information regarding ANEMIA.
Some years ago, my young grandson was diagnosed with ANEMIA.
Doctors advised on giving him iron tablets.
I took to the internet and did a whole lot of research on the matter.
The advice was simple, beetroot (Latin Name Beta vulgaris) or beet as some know it, has a very high content of iron.
I have no medical qualifications and am not advising that anyone should rush out and purchase beetroot.
However I have never ever heard of anyone developing any problems from eating this root vegetable.
One can also purchase the beetroot crystals from chemists worldwide, but I would just keep it simple and grate some fresh beetroot and add it to your salad.
My grandson is over his problem and just loves beetroot now.
Thank you all and best wishes from Ayutthaya Thailand.
John Moore.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Ranjana (Arlington, TX USA) on 11/23/2008
I just found it at the Whole Foods market.
Pumpkin Seeds
Posted by Fiona (Arizona, USA) on 09/22/2008
★★★★★
I can't thank you enough, this has worked well for me.When i felt Dizzy spells coming i would know my iron level has dropped, so i would eat seeds and i would feel better.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Kylie (Whitianga, New Zealand) on 09/02/2008
★★★★★
Blackstrap Molasses & Anemia: I have HYPERthyroidism and have to have blood tests every month which show low iron (but I've never been diagnosed as anemic). I tried Blackstrap Molasses for a month and my iron reading improved substantially. I took about 4 teaspoons a day for a month. My specialist asked me to stop taking it as she was worried about the iodine content but I'm going to go back on it as it doesn't constipate (and I feel is better absorbed) than iron tablets. I also notice better, tighter skin on my face and a healthy glow. Can't stand the taste or smell of it so the easiest way I've found to take it is to put a teaspoon of it in your mouth, then wash it down with water. Quick and painless!
Pumpkin Seeds
Posted by Mona (Sydney, Australia) on 08/22/2008
★★★★★
PUMPKIN SEEDS for Anemia-IM in my late 20's and i have been Anemic all my life,ive had to have injections and take iron tablets but i got sick of it in the end and my doc told me that if i carried on taking iron tablets all my life i will kill my liver,so he suggested i start eating everything with high iron. The funniest thing was i discoverd pumpkin seeds when i had my second child and was told i needed a blood transfusion, but i rejected and went on a mission to get my iron levels up without it. I ate hand full morning,evening and night and after 2 weeks the doctor was in shock at how fast my iron level went up. SO PLEASE give it a go and let me know the results. GOOD LUCK.
Ice Cravings
Posted by Angela (Tallahassee, Florida) on 08/13/2008
★★★★★
In response to the lady who ate everyone's ice and craved lemons. Eating ice is a common sign of anemia. You are/were deficient in iron. A very serious problem. Lemons are nature's natural antibiotic. Our bodies "know" what they need. When we crave chocolate we are deficient in the minerals chromium and vanadium and these deficiencies are the cause of diabetes. Just "know" that when you are craving something your body is trying to tell you it's seriously deficient in minerals, vitamins, amino acids, essential fatty acids, etc. If you are craving sugary, salty, etc things, maybe even things that are not even "food" substances, get yourself on a high quality LIQUID mineral suppliment immediately and start taking vitamins (liquid if possible) in addition to them. (There are 92 so you can't get by with taking 5 or 6.) You will find an almost immediate relief and healing. In addition, make sure you drink a tsp or 2 of _____'s Apple Cider Vinegar in a glass of water every day to get your Ph in a slightly alkaline state. This environment is not conducive to viruses, bacterias, cancers, tumors, fungus, molds, etc. It cleanses your system, breaks down fat cells and cellulite, flushes out your kidneys and fat, helps or stops arthritis pain and multiple other problem areas including acid reflux. I could go on forever. I hope this helps someone to have a more healthy life!
Figs
Posted by Tan Koon Peng (Singapore) on 07/26/2008
Figs are useful for anemia. Just take them often and you will see inprovement soon.
