If you want to replenish your blood, is it better to take medicine or eat food?

Netizen question: My mother is old and has anemia. She likes to eat some blood-enriching foods, such as pork liver, pig blood, etc. But I think the effect of food supplements is slow, so I suggested that my mother take medicine, but she was a little resistant.

If I want to replenish my blood, is it better to choose medicine or food?

When it comes to blood supplementation, many people prefer food supplements.

Indeed, food supplements for blood replenishment are mostly natural foods, which are more acceptable to everyone.

However, we need to remind everyone that in order to replenish blood through food, in addition to daily intake of iron-rich foods such as animal liver, animal blood, lean meat, beef, egg yolk, longan, and fungus, you should also eat more vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C to help absorb iron.

However, for people who have been diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, dietary supplements alone may not achieve the ideal iron supplement effect.

In this regard, a more effective method used clinically is: for mild to moderate iron deficiency anemia, oral iron supplements can be taken; severe deficiency requires intravenous drips; and more serious cases require blood transfusions.

When it comes to oral iron supplements, you should pay attention to the following 3 points:

① Taking iron supplements and vitamin C tablets together 1 hour before meals can increase iron absorption and make iron supplementation more effective;

② For people who are taking iron and calcium supplements at the same time, such as pregnant women, middle-aged and elderly people, please note that they cannot be taken at the same time, otherwise they will affect each other's absorption. It is recommended to stagger the time periods for iron and calcium supplements;

③ If you have black stools after taking iron supplements, it is because the iron is oxidized and turns black in the intestines. This is a normal phenomenon and will generally return to normal after stopping the medication. There is no need to panic.

In short, whether it is food supplement or medicine supplement, everyone should decide according to their own situation. Especially medicine supplement, even if it is just oral iron supplement, it should be done under the guidance of a doctor.

In addition, during the iron supplementation period, whether it is food supplementation or medicine supplementation, everyone should avoid drinking strong tea and coffee, otherwise it will affect the absorption of iron.