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- Intense exercise causes inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation interferes with the ability of the body to use iron to make red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. It can also reduce the body’s ability to absorb iron in the digestive tract, which can deplete iron stores and lead to iron deficiency anemia.
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Can exercise lower iron levels?
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What causes low iron levels in athletes?
Mar 31, 2020 · Exercise can lower the iron levels in your blood, especially if you exercise at a high intensity or for long periods of time.
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- Overview
- Tips to support success
- Low impact aerobic exercises for people living with anemia
- Resistance training for people living with anemia
- Mind-body exercises for people living with anemia
- Stretches for people living with anemia
- Benefits of exercising when you have anemia and overall outlook
- Frequently asked questions
- The bottom line
If you have anemia, exercise can be an excellent way to increase your energy levels and reduce symptoms such as tiredness and weakness.
Anemia is a common blood disorder that occurs when your body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells to transport oxygen to your tissues.
Common symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath, which can affect your ability to perform daily activities and reduce your tolerance for physical activity.
Regular exercise can be beneficial for reducing anemia symptoms and improving overall your health, though it’s essential to develop a routine for your specific needs.
Before starting an exercise program, consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most suitable exercises for your needs and any necessary modifications and safety considerations.
Start slow, especially if you’re new to exercise or have had a break. If you have low energy, do shorter sessions and choose gentle, relaxing exercises.
Be mindful of your physical activity levels and avoid overexertion. Conserving your energy can help prevent tiredness and fatigue.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water before, during, and after exercise.
Low impact aerobic activities are ideal for building muscular strength and endurance without putting too much pressure on your joints. They also help improve balance, coordination, and heart health.
Low impact cardio exercises include:
•walking
•cycling
•dancing
•swimming
Strength training involves using:
•weights
•resistance bands
•bodyweight exercises
Strength training can help improve your:
•metabolism
Mind-body exercise integrates physical movements and mental focus, promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
Mind-body exercises include:
•Tai chi: This gentle exercise combines deep breathing and slow, flowing movements. The moving meditation practice improves balance, flexibility, and strength. Plus, it encourages relaxation and alleviates stress, which may boost your mood.
•Yoga: This practice combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation to improve flexibility, strength, and balance. Gentle styles such as yin and restorative may be especially effective in enhancing relaxation and reducing stress.
A gentle stretching routine can help increase flexibility, mobility, and blood flow, which may alleviate tension, stiffness, and weakness. It can also enhance relaxation and reduce fatigue, stress, and anxiety.
You might consider exercises that stretch the following muscles:
•neck
•hip flexor
•hamstring
•calf
If you have anemia, regular exercise can offer several physical and mental benefits that improve your health, well-being, and quality of life.
A small 2017 study suggests that adding cardio workouts to iron supplementation is more effective than iron supplementation alone for improving anemia symptoms and hemoglobin levels.
One of the most common symptoms of anemia is fatigue, which can make it challenging to stay active. However, exercise increases energy levels by improving oxygen delivery and endorphin production, which reduces feelings of tiredness.
Strength training can improve muscle mass and endurance, allowing you to exercise and perform daily tasks with greater ease. Exercise also enhances heart health by strengthening your heart and improving blood flow.
Is it better to rest or be active if you have anemia?
If you have anemia, healthcare professionals usually recommend moderate physical activity over rest. However, if you have severe anemia and symptoms such as extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain, you may need to rest until your condition improves.
Can exercise cause anemia?
Exercise does not directly cause anemia, but certain types of exercise can increase your risk of developing iron deficiency anemia, especially if you do not take certain precautions. Exercise-induced anemia, or sports anemia, often occurs in people with rigorous fitness routines, including powerlifters and endurance athletes. Iron loss may occur through sweating, gastrointestinal bleeding, and hemolysis (the breakdown of red blood cells). Additionally, you may be more at risk of sports anemia if you are female, vegan or vegetarian, or have a history of anemia. To prevent exercise-induced anemia, eat an iron-rich diet, use appropriate recovery strategies, and monitor your iron levels regularly. You may need to consider iron supplementation.
How do you know if an iron deficiency is affecting your workout?
If an iron deficiency is affecting your workout, you may have symptoms such as fatigue, lower leg cramps, and shortness of breath. You may also have an increased heart rate during exercise and find it challenging to recover afterward.
Incorporating exercise into your daily routine can help manage anemia symptoms, increase strength, and boost fitness. It can also be an enjoyable way to boost your mood, reduce tension, and improve your well-being.
Choose low or moderate intensity activities to avoid overexertion, complications, and injury. The ideal intensity level depends on your needs, overall health, and factors such as the type, severity, and underlying cause of anemia.
Apr 25, 2022 · Exercise-induced anemia happens when someone isn’t storing or absorbing iron properly, which results in a low red blood cell count. If you have exercise-induced anemia, you’re likely to feel lightheaded or dizzy, fatigued, and may find yourself short of breath when you exercise.
Jun 20, 2024 · Experts say that low iron levels can be caused by more obvious causes, like excessive blood loss and not eating enough iron-rich foods, or sneakier causes, like certain foods and medications blocking iron absorption.
Symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia can include: tiredness and lack of energy. shortness of breath. noticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations) paler than usual skin. headaches. Less common symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia (that are not usually connected to pregnancy) include: hearing ringing, buzzing or hissing noises inside your head (tinnitus)
Apr 27, 2015 · The prevalence of IDA in the general population is around 2% and rises to >5% in premenopausal females. 1 The presenting symptoms of IDA vary, but mostly include fatigue, exercise intolerance, weakness, headache, and irritability. These symptoms may also be present in iron deficiency without anaemia. The main causes of IDA are age-dependent.
Jan 4, 2024 · You may be able to help get rid of excess iron in the body naturally by adjusting your diet, but the most effective way to lower iron levels is by having blood drawn. Symptoms of iron overload can include fatigue, joint pain, and abdominal pain.
