Airdate: October 19, 2012
Dr. Oz: The #1 Way To Fight Fatigue
- Could your fatigue be caused by iron deficiency?
- Ferritin test vs. iron in blood test
- Foods to boost iron levels
- How to choose an iron supplement
- What your birth date says about you
Dr. Oz shares his number one secret to
fighting fatigue: iron. Could your birth date provide insights to
your health?
Photo credit:
FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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Dr. Oz: The
#1 Way To Fight Fatigue
How tired are you?
Feeling like you're on empty? Dr. Oz said he has one simple solution
for the fatigue felt by a startling number of women across the
country. Iron.
Extreme exhaustion
and hair loss are just two possible symptoms of iron deficiency. Not
to worry, iron deficiency and low iron are both easily reversible.
Donnica Moore, MD,
physician and women's health expert, explained that iron is
responsible for moving oxygen throughout the body. Most people
understand that anemia is a condition of iron deficiency but most
people, doctors included, don't realize that when iron levels are low
yet not at a deficiency stage fatigue can set in.
Heidi Skolnik,
nutritionist, said the most common time when women are low in iron is
during menstruation. Women who bleed heavily during their period are
most susceptible to low iron or iron deficiency.
How do you know if
you're a heavy bleeder? Ms. Skolnik said to use the tampon rule to
determine if you're a heavy bleeder. Having to change a tampon every
two hours is an indication of heavy menstrual bleeding.
Women who don't eat
much red meat may also be at risk for low iron or iron deficiency.
Today's Dr. Oz Show
audience were tested and over 30% tested as iron deficient and more
than that have low iron counts.
One woman in the
audience said she was just at her doctor's office yesterday and was
told all her numbers were fine yet today at the show she was tested
as low. Dr. Oz explained that people can have a low level of iron
without having low blood cell counts which is why many doctors can
miss it.
In the morning,
said the woman from the audience, she wakes up tired. Often her
energy is completely used up by noon.
Iron is used by the
body to create red blood cells. When iron counts are low, the body
can begin to feel fatigued. If iron levels are not replenished then
red blood cells are not produced at an optimal level and you can
begin feel irritable. If the deficiency continues, red blood cell
counts drop further resulting in an inability to focus. The next
stage of low red blood cells is feeling sluggish. The final stage is
feeling fatigued.
Dr. Oz said this is
a big change in our understanding of fatigue. Iron is a key component
to energy levels.
Dr. Oz Symptoms
of Iron Deficiency #1: Fatigue for More Than a Month
Feeling exhausted
after full night's sleep and feeling that exhaustion for a full month
is a sign that something is off, possibly iron and blood cell counts.
It's time to see a doctor.
Dr. Oz Symptoms
of Iron Deficiency #2: Always Cold
Blood carrying
oxygen around the body isn't able to circulate properly when iron
stores are low. With
low blood counts
and few blood cells circulating, the body can't warm up.
Dr. Oz Symptoms
of Iron Deficiency #3: Dull Skin
Are your friends
saying you look pale? That pallor could be linked to low red blood
cell counts which translates to a lower amount of pigment in the body
that colors those blood cells and the skin can look pale. Pull down
the lower eye lid and check the color, if it's pale there could be an
iron concern.
Dr. Oz Symptoms
of Iron Deficiency #4: Inability to Focus
The brain requires
blood to function. When blood cell levels are low then not enough
blood is getting to the brain. Feeling woozy, dizzy, and light headed
can all be linked to low blood cell counts and low iron levels.
Dr. Oz Symptoms
of Iron Deficiency #5: Hair Loss and Brittle Nails
Rapid hair loss and
brittle nails are also attributed to iron issues.
Experiencing one or
more of the above symptoms could be connected to an iron deficiency.
Dr. Oz said the big difference in the test they conducted on the
audience is that they looked at ferritin levels which is the amount
of iron stored in the body. Typical iron tests look at how much iron
is in the blood.
Good news is that
iron deficiency can be turned around quickly with the right foods.
Dr. Oz: Boost
Iron to Fight Fatigue
Ms. Skolnik told
the audience that meat, chicken liver, and seafood are the most
absorbable food forms of iron. The iron in meat, she explained, is
absorbed two to three times more efficiently than plant sources
however she did go on to explain that absorption of iron in plant
sources, mainly green foods, can be boosted when eaten with Vitamin
C.
Plant sources of
iron include beans, broccoli, fortified cereals [there's not going to
be a significant amount of iron in a fortified cereal], dried fruit
including apricots and raisins.
Dr. Oz: Pair
Vitamin C-Rich Foods With Iron-Rich Foods
Eating red peppers
with spinach will support the body in getting the most out of the
iron contained in the spinach. Pair broccoli with tomatoes or citrus
with edamame. Essentially, green foods paired with red and yellow
foods will accomplish the goal and play a role in increasing iron
absorption three to five times.
Dr. Oz: Iron
Skillet
Foods high in water
as well as acidic foods that are cooking in an iron skillet will have
an increased iron content because the iron from the pan will leach
into the foods. There's no limit to the number of times you can eat
food cooked in an iron skillet, said Ms. Skolnik. She also stated
that it's impossible to over eat iron-rich foods as the body will
naturally regulate the iron intake.
Dr. Oz: Clams
Clams are a great
source of iron and one source that people overlook. A canned clam
sauce on pasta can increase the iron content of your meal.
Dr. Oz: Coffee
and Tea
Ms. Skolnik said to
not drink tea or coffee one to two hours before or after an iron-rich
meal. Tannins in the tea and coffee can inhibit absorption of iron in
foods.
Dr. Oz: What
You Need to Know About Iron Supplements
Could an iron
supplement be right for you? Diet alone may not be enough to support
optimal levels of iron in some people, explained Dr. Moore. There are
several categories of people who should consider taking an iron
supplement.
Dr. Oz: Pregnant
and Nursing Women
Pregnant need the
extra vitamin and mineral boost received by taking a prenatal.
Nursing women should also continue taking their prenatals, explained
Dr. Moore. The nursing babe will be taking nutrients from mom so she
needs to give her body enough nutrition along with the right prenatal
to restore her levels.
Dr.
Oz: All Menstruating Females
At least 25% of
pre-menopausal women are low in iron and Dr. Moore recommends that
all women who are menstruating take an iron supplement.
Dr. Oz:
Vegetarians and Vegan
Dr. Moore said that
vegetarians and vegans need to take an iron supplement because they
are not getting adequate iron through plant sources. [Well, if you
talk to a vegetarian and vegan they will probably disagree. The best
way to know about your iron levels is to have them tested.]
Dr. Moore explained
that these categories of women should be taking 13mg of iron daily
from age 12 or 13 (at the onset of menstruation) through to about age
50 (until menopause). Women over 50, or who are in menopause only
need about 8mg of iron daily and that amount can typically be met
with proper diet. Avoid taking iron with calcium or antacids both of
which will inhibit absorption of the iron.
Iron can cause
constipation. Start with small doses, take with a high fiber meal,
take in the morning instead of the evening.
Dr. Oz: Who
should avoid iron supplementation?
Men typically don't
need additional iron supplementation and women in menopause, as
stated above, do not need additional iron and, certainly, anyone who
has been told by their doctor to avoid iron supplements.
Dr. Oz: What
Your Birth Date Tells About Health
Celebrity
numerologist Glynis
McCants, said Pythagoras, the ancient mathematician, created
numerology...way back when. He took the numbers one through nine and
attached a trait to each number. Knowing your personal number can
help with relationships, career, and even health.
There are positive and negative sides
of your personal birth number. Charting your numbers can help you
navigate all aspects of your life.
Your birth date determines your life
path number. It's the number that dominates your personality. Take
your birth date and reduce the numbers down to one number.
Dr. Oz Gets His Life Path Number
Ms. McCants used Dr. Oz's birth date:
June 11, 1969. Take the full date in numbers, for Dr. Oz the numbers
are 6-11-1960, and add them together: 6+1+1+1+9+6+0 = 24.
That ends with a two digit number, so
those numbers have to be added again: 2+4 = 6. Dr. Oz's life path
number is 6.
The number six represents helping
others. Born on the 11th also means that Dr. Oz is driven
to master his life. Reducing the 11 gives the number two which is
considered a natural healer. Six people are also family oriented yet
have to be in charge, the aren't supposed to work for someone else.
Six's are nurturing people either with their children or their pets.
This nurturing trait, explained Ms. McCants, can mean six's are prone
to breast issues. Weight can also be an issue for people with six for
a life path number.
Dr. Oz: Life Path Number One
Dr. Oz said he have several one's in
his life. His wife is a one and so is one of his daughter's and his
son. One's strive to be number one in all parts of their lives. They
try to be the best at what they do which can often lead to not taking
care of themselves. One's are prone to shoulder and knee pain.
Stretching and yoga are great for one's to release tension.
Dr. Oz: Life Path Number Two
Feel deeply. A broken heart can lead to
deep sadness. Know your boundaries
Group therapy or outlet to purge helps
two's to navigate their life. Two's will always care.
Dr. Oz: Lift Path Number Three
Known for being communicators, three's
can't shut up. They are the best at gossip. In a relationship where
partner doesn't listen, three's can develop throat issues including
laryngitis. Ms. McCants recommends that three's write out what they
need to say when it comes to difficulties in relationships. Three's
are known for theirs eyes, voice and their smiles.
Dr. Oz: Life Path Number Four
A woman from the audience who has the
number four for her life path number described herself as a planner
(she's a teacher), organized (her house is always clean), and type A
personality (she's controlling). That's the picture prefect
description of four's. Four's like structure in their life and like
to know the plan. Being without a plan can lead to headaches. It's
helpful, explained Ms. McCants for four's to look at just their part
of an assignment, at work or school, and to not worry about what
others are doing. Get into nature to relieve stress with activities
like gardening and walking in the park.
Dr. Oz: Life Path Number Five
Fives and seven's are similar so both
groups stood. Need freedom and space. If someone controls then out
the door. Health issues: water has calming effect bath, hot tub,
ocean. Who am I , why am I here. Breathing is an issue and leads to
sleep problems. Deep breathing leads to better sleep. The most
cerebal number in numberology and can't stop thinking.
Dr. Oz: Life Path Number Eight
Eight's tend to describe themselves as
over thinkers. Eight's are here to master financial security, they
are willing to work hard and want to be paid for their work. They
tend to feel like life is happening to them and can develop a victim
complex. The eight also represents infinity which translates to
eight's being able to easily change their mood. Lower back pain can
develop when eight's worry about finances. Goofy movies and laughing,
music and dancing can help eight's boost their mood and get happy.
Eight's are also direct and blunt.
Dr. Oz: Life Path Number Nine
Nine's often have neck issues and are
tired a lot because they are very responsible and they often feel
weight of world on their shoulders. Nine is an old soul number.
Nine's have a hard time asking for help. They get neck and shoulder
pain from holding their worries in those areas. Massage is awesome
for nine's [massage is awesome for just about everyone!] to relieve
that neck and shoulder tension. Nines complement six.
Dr. Oz: Funny Letters From Kids
Dr. Oz said he loves hearing about
viewers funny letters from their kids. He shared a letter that his
daughter Daphne wrote to the tooth fairy when she was six. Daphne
demanded the tooth fairy provide her name and address or she wouldn't
leave anymore teeth.
Dr. Oz's other daughter Zoe also wrote
the tooth fairy letter saying she wanted $8 for her tooth because her
mother already gave her $2!
Send your cute kid letters to Dr. Oz
and he just might read them on the show.
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