Here is Kadambini’s story, 

Sometime back, I was feeling run-down and exhausted during my morning and evening walks, not being able to walk even 500 meters. I was frightened because of heart palpitations, shortness of breath, foggy thinking and at night suffering with Restless Leg Syndrome. The constant weakness, breathing problems, dizziness, headache, chest pain, pale skin were part of my day!

 

Eventually I concluded that my symptoms were caused by drinking too much tea. I wondered if it could be the caffeine causing my symptoms and decided to kick the habit. But as soon as I stopped consuming caffeine it was like hitting a brick wall. I totally crashed. Caffeine had been the only thing keeping me going! (Later, I would learn through Healthier experts, that although the caffeine was combating my fatigue, the tannin in the tea -- also found in coffee -- was totally blocking my absorption of iron. 

 

After the blood test, I realised my blood cells, which should have been plump and full of oxygen, were shrivelled like deflated life preservers and there were a lot fewer of them than there should have been. My haemoglobin was as low as 8. Based on that Doctor prescribed iron supplement from his pharmacy for 3-4 weeks. I felt little better. However after 5-6 months the same issue cropped up.

 

I vowed to learn more about my condition. I signed up with Healthier team through a friend. I attended sessions with them online, and learnt more on healthier habits which can help me recover. I was shocked to learn that I wasn't the only woman in the dark about this deadly disorder. With help from Healthier team, I learned that with simple changes in my diet, cooking method and iron supplementation, I could take control and do a better job of maintaining my iron health. In just 3 months my haemoglobin level rose to 12. I have maintained it to 12-13 since then. 

 

I learnt that iron is the most common type of nutritional deficiency in the world. It is perhaps surprising that a wide range of people have an increased need for iron, including adolescents, pregnant women, athletes, the elderly, people with poor gut health and those taking medications. 

 

It is needed for energy production, oxygen transport, immune activity and making hormones, neurotransmitters. So we need adequate levels to ensure optimal overall health. Fruits like Pomegranate is a delicious way to have iron, protein, carbohydrates, fiber and calcium. I started sprinkling it in salad, having as juice, eating it as snack. It promoted blood flow and increase the hemoglobin level thanks to its nutritional value. I could feel energetic. Thanks to healthier team, I learnt many ways to incorporate various types of food in my day.

 

As a daughter, wife and mother, I want other women to know the dangers of low haemoglobin/anemia and seek help here from Healthier team for healthier haemoglobin level.