YUZU
Your Healthy Choice !
What is anemia?
A condition where your hemoglobin (Hb) is low or you have too few/too-small red blood cells → less oxygen delivered to the body → fatigue and other symptoms.
Common types & causes
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Iron-deficiency anemia (most common): blood loss (heavy periods, gastric/colon bleeding), low intake, or poor absorption.
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Anemia of chronic disease/inflammation: infections, autoimmune disease, cancer, CKD.
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B12 or folate deficiency: poor intake/absorption; B12 can cause numbness/tingling and balance issues.
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Hemolytic anemia (incl. G6PD), thalassemia trait (common in SE Asia), bone-marrow disorders.
Symptoms (not all must appear)
Tiredness, pale skin, shortness of breath on exertion, fast heartbeat, dizziness/headache, cold hands/feet.
Iron lack: brittle nails, hair loss, pica (craving ice/clay).
B12 lack: tongue soreness, pins-and-needles, memory/focus problems.
How Vitamin C Helps with Iron (and Anemia)
🧲 Boosts Non-Heme Iron Absorption
Vitamin C reduces Fe³⁺ → Fe²⁺ and forms iron–ascorbate complexes that stay soluble in the gut, so plant-based iron (beans, lentils, tofu, spinach, fortified cereals) is absorbed much better.
Easy wins: dhal or tofu + fresh lime/yuzu; spinach fried rice + bell pepper; fortified cereal + kiwi/orange.
🚫🫖 Counters Meal “Blockers”
Phytates (grains/legumes), polyphenols (tea/coffee), and some fibers bind iron. Vitamin C offsets this effect so more iron gets through.
Tips:
Brewed tea/coffee 1–2 hours away from iron-rich meals or iron tablets.
Soak/sprout/ferment beans & whole grains to lower phytates.
Large calcium doses (milk/supps) can compete—separate by ~1–2 hours from iron.
🩸 Protects Tiny Blood Vessels
Vitamin C is essential for collagen cross-linking. Low C → fragile capillaries → gum bleeding, easy bruising, microscopic blood loss that can worsen iron-deficiency anemia or slow recovery.
Bottom line: Vitamin C doesn’t usually cause or cure anemia by itself, but it makes non-heme iron absorb better and reduces micro-bleeding by strengthening vessels—so pairing C with iron is one of the smartest ways to support healthy hemoglobin.
