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• A cancer drug that can be prescribed for people with sickle cell anemia is called Hydroxyurea (Droxia). The patient must be over the age of eighteen and have undergone three or more crises in a one-year time frame. This drug is not a cure, but is does ease the symptoms.
• Excluding sugar from the diet boosts iron absorption. Fish and vegetables, high in iron content, eaten at the same meal boost iron absorption as well.
• Foods containing the utmost amount of iron content, with over 5 milligrams of iron per average serving are: kidney beans, pinto beans, liver (organically raised is best), blackstrap molasses, rice bran, raw beet greens (not the beets), mustard greens, lentils, dried peaches, and prune juice. Foods containing a moderate amount of iron content ( 3 to 5 milligrams per average serving) are: cooked dried apricots, cooked beet greens, dates, lean meat such as lamb, turkey and veal, lima beans, chili, cooked spinach, and dry and fresh peas.
• Iron-deficiency anemia most likely will disappear when the underlying cause is corrected.
• It has been recommended that children under the age of one year old not drink cow's milk. This recommendation came from The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). It has been found that milk may cause anemia by prohibit iron absorption and might even cause internal bleeding. The AAP published the results of the University of Iowa research that discovered the blood content in the stool of infants that were fed cow's milk were five times higher than the ones that were given infant formula. This led to the conclusion that the amount of iron lost was "nutritionally substantial".
• Most of the time vitamin B12 deficiency can be identified by measuring serum B12 levels, doing a complete blood cell count, and a blood test called the Schilling test, that evaluates B12 retention. Those with pernicious anemia should take vitamin B12 sublingually (under the tongue), by retention enema, or by injection. Of course this treatment will be maintained for life, unless the underlying cause can be corrected.

• Be sure to consume foods that are rich in Vitamin C. Also be sure to have wholes grains, turnips, egg yolks, kelp, greens, bananas, apples, apricots, rice bran, and squash.
• Be sure you have an iron deficiency before taking iron supplements.
• Do not drink tea, coffee, sodas, or beer. Do not eat candy bars or dairy products.
• Do not smoke.
• Do not use bran as a source for fiber.
• Moderate or omit oxalic acid foods such as almonds, chocolate, cocoa, kale, soda, spinach, most nuts and beans.
• Take 1 teaspoon of blackstrap molasses two times a day.
• Taking calcium, vitamin E, zinc, or antacids with an iron supplement the iron will not absorb.