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/