iron (wo)man

Get fit.

This summer I'm going to start my new regimen to eat healthier and exercise. Since I've graduated, I haven't been exercising very much and I spend my days indulging on the greasy deliciousness Hawaii has to offer. This being said, I'm not the healthiest person to begin with and I spend enough of my days sick as it is. I really want to start eating more fruits and vegetables and drinking more water everyday. First, I'd like to address a condition known as Anemia.

What is Anemia?
According to WebMD, Anemia is the condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. It is estimated that between 2%-10% of Americans have Anemia and an even greater amount in other countries. Young females are twice as likely than young males to have anemia due to an increased blood loss from menstruation.

 (Source:  Imdb)

What is Iron Deficiency Anemia?
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia in which the body does not have enough iron to form healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, an iron-containing protein that transports oxygen throughout the body. Iron is normally obtained through diet and re-using iron from old red blood cells.

What are the causes?

• Blood loss
• Destruction of red blood cells
• Faulty red blood cell production
• Body is unable to store iron
• Body is unable to absorb iron
• Body requires more iron than usual
• Diet
• Kidney Disease
• Etc.

What are the symptoms?

• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Grumpiness
• Problems thinking or concentrating
• Etc.

Why did I bring this up?
As someone who suffers from iron deficiency anemia I must be extremely conscious of my iron uptake. The best way I can ensure my body with enough iron is to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Being that I don't eat red meat (the most common and best source of iron), I must make up for my lack of iron by eating other iron rich foods.  Here I've included a list of the top 10 iron-rich foods:  

• Red meat  
• Egg yolks  
• Dark, leafy greens (spinach, collards)  
• Dried fruit (prunes, raisins)  
• Iron-enriched cereals and grains (check the labels)  
• Mollusks (oysters, clams, scallops)  
• Turkey or chicken giblets  
• Beans, lentils, chick peas and soybeans  
• Liver  
• Artichokes

Looking at this list, I will admit that I eat this items very inconsistently. So my goal for this summer and the rest of my life is to really focus on eating healthier and exercising more. The combination of a healthy diet and exercise will not only be better for my body but will also improve my mental well-being!

(Source: WebMD)