Pale complexion and lips? Dizziness when standing up after squatting? You might actually be anemic.What to do? Is eating pig liver or red dates effective for blood replenishment? Professor Li Yuhua, Director of the Hematology Department at Southern Medical University's Zhujiang Hospital, cautions that while dietary therapy may aid health maintenance in healthy individuals, if anemia symptoms have already appeared, the underlying cause must be identified. The most direct approach to "blood replenishment" remains iron supplementation under medical guidance.
Poor lifestyle habits can lead to anemia
In daily life, some people tend to have pale complexions and lips, appearing bloodless. Others experience dizziness when standing up after squatting. People often recognize this as a sign of "anemia," with the first reaction being that it's no big deal—just eat some blood-building foods like red dates or animal organs such as pig liver.Li Yuhua cautions that medically defined anemia cannot be resolved solely through dietary supplementation.
So what causes anemia? Who is susceptible? Li explains that nutritionally induced anemia is the most common clinical cause, with iron deficiency anemia being the most prevalent form.This type of anemia affects over 10% of the population, with women of childbearing age being the most susceptible—a correlation closely tied to female physiology.
However, two common dietary habits can also contribute to anemia. First, drinking strong tea. Tea contains high levels of tannic acid, and excessive consumption causes this acid to bind with iron in the body, hindering iron absorption.Long-term consumption of strong tea severely impairs iron absorption, leading to anemia and malnutrition. This condition is particularly common among the elderly. Second, avoiding meat. Some young women restrict meat intake for weight loss, while older adults may advocate vegetarianism for perceived health benefits. Both practices can cause vitamin B12 deficiency, another trigger for anemia.
Multiple Symptoms Signal Anemia
Beyond pale complexion and lips, dizziness, and seeing stars, anemia manifests through fatigue, lethargy, pale skin and mucous membranes, palpitations, insomnia, memory decline, poor appetite, and menstrual irregularities in women.Li Yuhua notes that many people believe mild symptoms don't significantly impact daily life and can be managed through dietary adjustments. However, the severity and risks of anemia are not directly proportional to the symptoms. She recommends regular check-ups and assessments, with the simplest and most direct being a complete blood count (CBC) test, which can be performed by a general practitioner. This is especially important for the elderly, as long-term chronic anemia can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and should not be taken lightly.
Not all anemia can be treated with dietary supplements
Can red dates and pork liver really replenish blood? Li Yuhua explains that from a health preservation perspective, red dates are believed to replenish blood and energy, offering health benefits. However, if one already has pathological anemia, consuming red dates holds little significance.As for animal organs like pork liver, while they are undoubtedly rich in iron, organs—especially the liver—serve as the body's primary detoxification organ. Metabolic waste must pass through the liver for elimination. Therefore, consuming animal organs for blood and iron supplementation is not recommended. The most direct approach remains iron supplementation under medical guidance.
More importantly, anemia is merely a symptom. Beyond diagnosing its presence and severity, doctors must identify the underlying cause. For common nutritional iron-deficiency anemia, iron supplements can be directly prescribed.However, anemia can sometimes stem from other issues, such as internal bleeding—most commonly from hemorrhoids, gastrointestinal tract bleeding, or even severe tumors causing hemorrhage. In such cases, anemia serves as an alarm signal, indicating the need to identify the underlying cause. Additionally, iron supplements are ineffective for aplastic anemia, let alone dietary remedies.A common condition in Guangdong—thalassemia—is one such example. Caused by genetic defects that impair bone marrow's ability to produce blood cells, it requires specialized treatment. Mild thalassemia may not require intervention, while moderate cases have specific treatment protocols. For severe thalassemia, bone marrow transplantation currently remains the only solution.