Blood Deficiency
Symptoms
Pale lips, nail beds, tongue, complexion
Dry skin, hair, nails
Fatigue, coldness, dizziness, poor memory, difficulty focusing
Tinnitus, anemia, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, migraines
Palpitations, blurred vision, numbness,
Hair loss, easily injured tendons, cramps/spasm, brittle nails,
Scanty periods, infertility
Causes
Poor nutrition, restrictive diets, poor eating habits
Poor absorption of nutrients from the food you eat
Blood Loss (GI bleeding, heavy periods, surgery or medical procedure, childbirth)
Chronic Disease
Physical Trauma
Excess alcohol/drug use
Worry
Overwork - physical/mental
Treatment
Enhance absorption of nutrients from food by healing your digestive system: drink bone broth, get acupuncture, avoid foods and drinks that cause trouble.
Get 8-9 hours of sleep each night: employ good sleep hygiene.
Increase consumption of essential nutrients: iron, folic acid, B12, protein, copper, and Vitamin C.
Eat your meals in a mindful way: eat slowly, chew well, in a calm environment, away from your desk/TV.
Seek variety and balance in your diet.
Go out into nature.
Rest when needed, say no, ask for help.
Participate in relaxing activities: meditation, restorative yoga, Taichi, reading, art/crafting, journaling, walking.
Seek counselling if there are unresolved emotional issues
Seek work-life balance.
Foods To Include
Eggs
Beef
Chicken
Liver
Seaweed
Nuts/seeds (soaked)
Bluegreen algae
Blackstrap molasses
Leafy greens (cooked) - kale, Swiss chard, spinach, bok choy, collard greens
Brown rice
Oatmeal
Muscles, oysters
Beets, Yams
Nettle tea
Wheat grass
Foods to Avoid
Sugar
Alcohol
Dairy products
Vegetable oils
Processed foods
Raw foods
Cold foods/drinks
Deep fried food
Soy
References:
http://www.giovanni-maciocia.com/downloads/EJOM_Blood_Deficiency.pdf
‘Healing with Whole Foods‘ by Paul Pitchford
http://sixdegreeshealth.ca/resources/facts-lists/healthy-blood/