Question:
I wrote before to Steve and got a answer back. I would
like more information. The cirmcustances were that I first had anaemia
and then I went for a gastroscopy. The results of which were I had
insufficient acid been produced in the stomach. I was told that acid was
nessary for the absorbion of iron and it was because of this that I
became anaemic. I was told to eat plently of red meat not too many
vegetables. Is there any other information you can give me?
Replies:
It is very difficult to say for sure without seeing you chart and I am not
your doctor. But it sounds to me like you are deficient in the vitamin B12.
In your stomach you have 3 basic types of cells. One is called chief cells
which secrete the precursor of the enzyme pepsin which begins the breakdown
of protein. Another is called the parietal cells which secrete your stomach
acid and a substance called intrinsic factor. Now-switch to your bone marrow
which is where your red blood cells are made. In order for your red blood
cells to mature in the bone marrow, vitamin B12 is necessary. B12 can only
be obtained from animal food sources such as meat, milk and eggs.
Unfortunately, B12 cannot be absorbed in the stomach without intrinsic
factor. If there is sufficient B12 present in the diet, it can be stored in
the liver. If you aren't eating enough animal sources your B12 will be taken
from your liver until you run out. You could also be deficient in intrinsic
factor. So while the outcome is anemia (not enough red blood cells) the
problem could be from a few different things. Follow your doctor's
recommendations and eat more sources of B12.
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