The World Health Organisation said anaemia is a serious global public health problem, affecting 571 million women and 269 million young children worldwide.
Anaemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or the haemoglobin concentration within them is lower than normal. Haemoglobin is needed to carry oxygen and if you have too few or abnormal red blood cells or not enough haemoglobin, there will be a decreased capacity of the blood to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. This results in symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and shortness of breath, among others. The optimal haemoglobin concentration required to meet physiological needs varies by age, sex, the elevation of residence, smoking habits, and pregnancy status.
Anaemia may be caused by nutrient deficiencies through inadequate diets or inadequate absorption of nutrients, infections, inflammation, chronic diseases, gynaecological and obstetric conditions, and inherited red blood cell disorders.
The most common nutritional cause of anaemia is iron deficiency, although deficiencies in folate, vitamins B12, and A are also important causes.
