We will introduce useful "food information" for those who are worried about anemia and low blood pressure.
☆Symptoms of anemia/low blood pressure☆
◆Anemia and low blood pressure
◆What you can do with your diet
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Could it be anemia since the symptoms are similar? I thought it was actually low blood pressure! ! This often happens.
So, what is the difference between anemia and hypotension?
<Anemia>
・Due to a decrease in the amount of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood,
・Symptoms caused by blood not being able to carry oxygen throughout the body.
Approximately 90% of cases are caused by iron deficiency , but it can also be caused by vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency.
☆Symptoms☆
① Anemia due to iron deficiency
As hemoglobin synthesis decreases, oxygen cannot be carried throughout the body, leading to anemia symptoms. It is more likely to occur in women, people with reduced gastric acid secretion, the elderly, people who eat little, and people who do not eat much meat or fish.
②Anemia due to lack of vitamin B12 and folic acid
Giant red blood cells are synthesized instead of normal red blood cells, and the number decreases, causing symptoms of anemia. It is more likely to occur in people who drink a lot of alcohol and in vegetarians (vitamin B12 deficiency).
③Anemia caused by other causes
In some cases, the lifespan of the red blood cells themselves becomes shorter or due to decreased kidney function. It cannot be treated with over-the-counter medicine, so treatment at a hospital is required.
In order to determine if you have anemia, you should generally seek medical attention if you develop symptoms.
<Low blood pressure>
It refers to a condition in which blood pressure is lower than normal, but the exact cause is unknown. It is more common in slender people and young women. Although there are no clear diagnostic criteria, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines hypotension as a systolic blood pressure (systolic blood pressure) of 100 mmHg or less and a diastolic blood pressure (diastolic blood pressure) of 60 mmHg or less .
*See WHO anemia definition, etc.
☆Symptoms☆
①Essential hypotension
This is the most common type of low blood pressure , and the cause is unknown. Symptoms may also be caused by genetics if you have a blood relative with low blood pressure.
② Orthostatic hypotension
Low blood pressure that causes you to feel light when you get up or stand up. Generally, it is diagnosed when the systolic blood pressure drops by 20 mmHg or more. This may occur due to disturbances in the autonomic nervous system .
③Secondary hypotension
Low blood pressure caused by a disease or medication. In this case, symptoms can be alleviated by treating the underlying disease or changing or stopping the medication. You will receive treatment according to your doctor's instructions.
◆Postprandial hypotension seen in one in three elderly people
Have you ever felt dizzy or light-headed when you tried to get up from your seat after a meal? This occurs because blood accumulates in the stomach for digestion, making it difficult for it to return to the heart.
This occurs approximately 30 minutes to an hour after a meal, after which blood pressure gradually returns to normal, so many people do not realize that their dizziness and light-headedness are due to postprandial hypotension.
Not only the elderly, but also people with neuropathy associated with high blood pressure or diabetes are susceptible to this condition, so caution is advised.
<Preventive measures>
① Don't eat too much: This is especially likely to happen if you eat too much carbohydrates (rice, bread, noodles, etc.) .
②Eat slowly: Eating quickly can make this happen more easily, so try to chew each mouthful 20 to 30 times and eat slowly .
③ Take caffeine: It has the effect of constricting blood vessels and preventing it. Try drinking coffee or green tea before or after meals .
④ Take a good rest after eating: Take a good rest for at least an hour after eating .
If these preventive measures do not improve your symptoms, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Although the causes of anemia and low blood pressure are different, it is difficult to tell them apart because the symptoms are almost the same. If your symptoms do not go away or are painful, please see a doctor and have them diagnose whether you have anemia or low blood pressure.
Although the symptoms of anemia and low blood pressure are similar, the causes are different, so the treatments will be different. Here, we will mainly tell you about dietary measures.
☆☆Anemia (due to iron deficiency)☆☆
1. Take enough iron
The best measure is to get enough iron. People lose about 1 mg of iron every day.
It is reported that approximately 15% of the iron you eat is absorbed, depending on the content of your meals.
Considering absorption rate, it is recommended to take about 10mg .
(Reference: eHealth Net To prevent anemia, first reconsider your daily eating habits)
・Heme iron
It is found in large amounts in animal foods such as meat and milk. This iron is recommended for supplementing iron as it is easily absorbed. To get heme iron, it is important to eat plenty of meat, fish, eggs, and soy products .
・Non-heme iron
It is found in large amounts in plant foods such as vegetables. It is said that most of the iron that Japanese people consume comes from non-heme iron . Non-heme iron is converted to heme iron by stomach acid and then absorbed.
For elderly people who tend to have low stomach acid, it may be difficult to supplement iron with non-heme iron.
Non-heme iron is better absorbed when taken with protein foods and vitamin C, so be sure to take them together.
2. Add something that improves iron absorption
Iron is a nutrient that is difficult to absorb compared to other nutrients. There are several things that make iron absorption better when taken together than when taken alone. Let's take it together.
① Sour food
Non-heme iron found in vegetables and beans is a type of iron that is difficult to absorb, but its absorption will be increased if you take it with something acidic. Make sure to take it with vinegar, tomatoes, and citrus fruits. Elderly people, who tend to have less stomach acid, should especially actively consume acidic foods.
Example) Pickled vegetables, bean and tomato soup, etc.
② Consume water-soluble dietary fiber
Water-soluble dietary fiber (konbu, wakame, fruit, taro, etc.) is involved in the absorption of minerals such as iron. When the ingested water-soluble dietary fiber reaches the large intestine, intestinal bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids, making the intestine slightly acidic.
This makes it easier for minerals such as iron to be absorbed, making it easier for the body to replenish iron. It may be a good idea to take it with fermented foods that contain a lot of bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria.
Example) Apple with yogurt, wakame miso soup, etc.
Iron is a mineral that is easily deficient, so it is important to actively take in it, but taking too much can inhibit the absorption of other minerals such as zinc and copper.
On the other hand, it is said that too much calcium intake inhibits the absorption of iron, which means that it is important to take a well-balanced intake of minerals, rather than just the one you are deficient in. Just eat foods rich in iron! Instead, try to eat a variety of foods in a well-balanced manner.
☆☆Low blood pressure☆☆
1.Eat three meals properly
People with low blood pressure often do not eat properly due to lack of appetite, and tend to lack protein. Protein is the material for muscles and blood vessels that play the role of the pump function necessary to pump blood, and it is a nutrient necessary for making blood itself.
Even if you don't have a large amount, make sure to eat it at every meal.
2. Consume foods that can be expected to increase blood pressure.
①Cheese
Cheese is rich in tyramine, which has the effect of raising blood pressure.
②Caffeine drinks
Caffeine acts on blood vessels and nerves, increasing blood pressure. However, drinking too much can interfere with sleep, so if you are concerned about it, avoid drinking it before bed and limit it to 3 to 5 cups a day .
③Moisture
Water is essential for increasing blood volume. Try to consume 1 to 2 liters per day as much as possible. Aim for about 8 cups of 150ml . It is also recommended to drink a glass of cold water as soon as you wake up in the morning. It can be expected that sympathetic nerve activity will increase and blood pressure will increase.
◎There are also Chinese herbal medicines that alleviate the painful symptoms of anemia and low blood pressure!
・For those who are constitutionally prone to anemia and have low blood pressure for which the cause is not clear... Four blood circulation
・For those with anemia tendencies such as dizziness and lightheadedness that occur immediately after menstruation, and those who are prone to swelling... Tokishakuyakusan
・For those who have weak stomach and intestines, poor water metabolism, and are prone to dizziness... Reikeijukanto
Please inquire at the store for details.
You can also use the multi-tablet at the consultation counter to find the Chinese herbal medicine that suits you! Please take advantage of it.