Anemia is a condition in which there is a lack of red blood cells (RBCs) in the body. Anemia can be temporary or long-lasting, and its symptoms can range from mild to severe. There are many different types of this condition, and some of the risk factors of anemia that make you more prone to developing it are listed below.

1. Diet
The food we eat plays a crucial role in our overall health and well-being. Our diet can help to prevent certain conditions such as anemia. Therefore, one of the critical risk factors of anemia and the development of other health conditions is diet. Consuming a diet that is low in iron, folate, and vitamin B12 can increase your risk of developing certain types of anemia, such as iron-deficiency anemia and vitamin-deficiency anemia.

2. Intestinal disorders
Intestinal disorders are listed as one of the risk factors of anemia, as they hamper the proper absorption of nutrients. Although you might be consuming a healthy, balanced, and nutritious diet, if the nutrients are not adequately absorbed into the body by the small intestine, you could be at risk of developing anemia. Intestinal disorders that hamper the proper functioning of the small intestine are Crohn’s disease and celiac disease.

3. Chronic health conditions
A few chronic health conditions can cause a deficiency of RBCs in the body, resulting in anemia. These include cancer, diabetes, and kidney failure. Slow blood loss from an ulcer or any other part of the body can also result in iron deficiency anemia. This is because, over time, this blood loss would affect the iron levels in the body.

4. Family history
There are quite a few hereditary health conditions that get passed down from one generation to the next. This is also the case with sickle cell anemia, an inherited condition in which RBCs that are usually flexible and round are sickle-shaped. This crescent shape hampers their movement in the blood vessels, which affects the supply of oxygen to other parts of the body. Hence, among the risk factors of anemia, family history can also be listed. Thalassemia is another type of anemia that is also inherited. There is insufficient hemoglobin in the body, in this form of anemia, affecting oxygen supply to other parts.

5. Pregnancy
The developing fetus requires plenty of nutrients to grow. Hence, pregnant women are more prone to developing anemia, especially if they do not consume sufficient folic acid and iron. Therefore, expectant mothers must be prescribed supplements of these nutrients.

Now that you are aware of the risk factors of anemia, you can consult and discuss your diet plan with your doctor or a dietician, as some forms of anemia can be treated through proper diet. You can also discuss the possibility of taking multivitamins or supplements if needed.