Why Do Women Suffer with Low Energy?

Hemolytic anemia is the result of the spleen being too efficient. Red blood cells generally last about 120 days each. As the cells age, it is the responsibility of the spleen and liver to select the older, more worn out ones, break them down, and recycle reusable parts. If the spleen goes ‘batty’ and starts pulling out red blood cells that are not worn out, it causes at least three problems. The first is anemia. The second is liver stress (from having to deal with the excess of bilirubin being released from the increased number of blood cells that are being broken down), which can result in jaundice. The third is inflammation of the spleen.

There are several types of hemolytic anemia wherein the red blood cells are deformed and usually more brittle. The most common are thalassemia, spherocystosis, and sickle-cell. Other causes of hemolytic anemia can include toxins, medications, and autoimmune disorders that affect the body’s handling of the blood cells. Oddly enough, being too athletic (for instance, working out too many hours in a day or engaging in too much long distance running) can destroy red blood cells faster than they can be replaced.

Another common type of anemia is megaloblastic anemia; a subtype of this is pernicious anemia. A deficiency of vitamin B12, due to a lack of the gut enzyme needed to absorb B12, inhibits the production of red blood cells. Using a form of vitamin B12 that is held under the tongue (sublingual) rather than swallowed bypasses the need for the gut enzyme. Because B12 is also important for the health of the nerve sheaths, a deficiency of this vitamin can lead to restlessness, tingling or numbness in the legs, burning in the tongue, stomachaches, and loss of appetite. Other causes of megaloblastic anemia include liver disease, Crohn’s and celiac disease, folic acid deficiency, use of the birth control pill, and excessive alcohol consumption.

Iron deficient anemia is the most common form of anemia. It can be the result of not enough iron being supplied, not enough iron being assimilated, or too much iron being lost. Since bacteria also need iron to reproduce, having repeated bacterial infections can deplete one’s iron stores. Iron deficiency anemia prevails among women who have heavy menstrual flows, elderly people who have poor nutrition, digestion, and assimilation, pregnant women who are undergoing massive increases in blood volume, and lactating mothers.

Anti-inflammatory medications, which often cause the stomach to bleed, and intra-uterine contraceptives (IUDs) can cause heavy menstrual flow in some women.

Ironically, women who are anemic tend to have heavier periods. Iron acts somewhat as a blood coagulant. One of the best ways to correct anemia in these women is to build their iron as rapidly as possible.

It is critically important to have blood work done before starting a high iron supplement therapy. Too much supplemental iron can damage the liver, heart, and pancreas, and reduce immune cell activity. Using herbs that have iron is a safer route. Herbs contain the necessary vitamins, minerals, and enzymes to assist the body in assimilating iron. These same herbs are often protective of the heart, liver, pancreas, and immune system.