Here’s an epidemic running loose right from under our noses. Iron deficiency Anemia (IDA), a condition in which the number or volume of red blood cell reduced, affects one of four people in the world, according to World Health Organization. In the Philippines, the figures are magnified: two out of five women suffer from anemia, and half of the country’s anemia cases are due to IDA.
Those have IDA may experience symptoms such as pale skin, dizziness, light headedness, fatigue, shortness of breath, cold hands and feet and headaches. If left untreated, anemia can lead to heart problems, difficulties in pregnancy, and growth delays. Women in their reproductive age are especially prone to anemia during pregnancy and because of monthly periods. Fighting off IDA can be easy. An iron-rich diet that includes meat and poultry products, green leafy vegetables and sea foods such as shrimps, scallops, and oysters is a good starting point. An iron and multivitamin supplement also helps in getting the job done.