What is Blood Deficiency? And how does it affect my period and fertility?

Blood deficiency is a concept in Chinese Medicine that encompasses the health of the blood flowing through the body. It does not always mean that there in an iron deficiency, but it could be leading there. Rather than just looking at iron, it also has to do with all of the nutrients necessary for healthy blood production. This can be protein, iron, b12, folate, minerals, etc. There are many signs and symptoms that we look at in Chinese Medicine to show if someone has blood deficiency (along with feeling the pulse, looking at the tongue, and palpating Acupuncture points).

Here are the most common signs and symptoms of blood deficiency:

• Paleness of the lips, nail beds, tongue, and complexion in general

• Thinness

• Spots in the field of vision and/or floaters

• Unusual hair loss

• Premature graying and thin, dry hair

• Dizziness upon standing

• Fatigue with period

• Dry skin

• Trembling or numbness in the arms or hands

• Anemia

• Nervousness

• Low back pain

• Headaches/migraines

• Periods that are painful or lacking

As you can see there are a few symptoms associated with the period. Since, women lose blood every month this makes them more prone to blood deficiency. Some women can momentarily have blood deficiency just around their periods too. With blood deficiency the period can be either very light or it can also be heavy (with a lot of fatigue).

Since a healthy pregnancy requires a lot of healthy blood, it is important to correct a blood deficiency before getting pregnant. Or if you are already pregnant and experiencing these symptoms, you are going to want to increase nutrient rich foods in your diet. We already know how important iron, folate, and b12 are to a healthy pregnancy.

Women with a severe blood deficiency may also not be ovulating, may not have enough blood to grow a thick and nutrient rich endometrium, or may not have healthy eggs with the correct amount of chromosomes. This can be a reason for infertility. The good news is that this can be corrected with some changes in diet and lifestyle, and with the addition of a few supplements and/or herbal formulas.

How to enrich and build blood:

• Increase the digestive absorption of nutrients, and then add the specific nutrients which generate healthy blood

• Build up the energy of the spleen by eating nourishing and simple foods and by reducing any damp/mucus conditions (usually seen with eating too much white sugar, white flour, dairy, and cold foods)

• The nutrients most needed to cure blood deficiencies are iron, folate, and vitamin B12.

• Adequate protein is essential.

• In order to absorb iron, one needs adequate copper and B vitamins, as well as vitamin C (why food is much better than supplements!)

• Good sources of iron are distributed widely among plant foods, including vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, and animal foods such as: gelatin, mussels, oysters, beef, lamb, chicken, venison, etc.

• With blood deficiency, it is important to eat plenty of red meat (3 times a week is a good start)

• For the first stages of the treatment of blood deficiency, one may want to add in iron rich sources of seaweed and spirulina.

• Eat plenty of dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale.

• Ease up on the intense exercise. There is a reason why many female athletes lose their periods. Exercise requires blood and intense exercise burns up healthy blood stores.

• Do not exercise on your period. Slow walks and light stretching is okay. Rest as much as you can.