Figure 18.20: The RBCs of a person with sickle cell disease (left) are long and pointed rather
than straight like normal cells (right); the abnormal cells cannot carry oxygen properly and
can get stuck in capillaries. ( 15 )
- Lack of RBC production.
Anemia may not have any symptoms. Some people with anemia feel weak or tired in general
or during exercise. They also may have poor concentration. People with more severe anemia
often get short of breath during activity. Iron-deficiency anemiais the most common
type of anemia. It occurs when the dietary intake or absorption of iron is less than what
is needed by the body. As a result, hemoglobin, which contains iron, cannot be made. In
the United States, 20 percent of all women of childbearing age have iron deficiency anemia,
compared with only 2 percent of adult men. The most common cause of iron deficiency
anemia in young women is blood lost during menstruation. Iron deficiency anemia can be
avoided by getting the recommended amount of iron in the diet. Anemia is often treated or
prevented by taking iron supplements.
Boys and girls aged between the ages of 9 and 13 should get 9 mg of iron every day. Girls
between the ages of 14 and 18 should get 15 mg of iron every day. Boys aged between
the ages of 14 and 18 should get 11 mg of iron every day. Pregnant women need the most
iron—27 mg daily.
Good sources of iron include shellfish such as clams and oysters. Red meat such as beef
is also a good source of iron. Non-animal sources of iron include seeds, nuts, and legumes.
Breakfast cereals often have iron added to them in a process calledfortification.Some good
sources of iron are listed inTable(18.3). Eating vitamin C along with the iron-containing
food increases the amount of iron that the body can absorb.