Evidence supporting the use of: Spinach
For the health condition: Anemia

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is commonly associated with supporting or treating anemia due to its relatively high iron content. Scientific evidence does confirm that spinach contains iron; however, the type of iron present in spinach is non-heme iron, which is less efficiently absorbed by the human body compared to heme iron found in animal sources. Additionally, spinach also contains oxalates and other compounds that can inhibit iron absorption. While the iron content of spinach is often cited in dietary recommendations, its actual efficacy for treating iron-deficiency anemia is limited by these factors. Clinical studies and nutritional guidelines recommend spinach as part of a balanced diet for its vitamins (such as folate and vitamin C) and minerals, but not as a primary treatment for anemia. Vitamin C present in spinach can help enhance iron absorption to some degree, but the overall bioavailability of iron from spinach remains modest. Historically, spinach gained its reputation as an iron-rich food due to a miscalculation in its iron content in the early 20th century; this myth has since been corrected in scientific literature. In summary, although spinach contributes some dietary iron and can be included in diets aimed at preventing anemia, it should not be relied upon as the sole or primary intervention for anemia due to its limited iron bioavailability. Supplementation or consumption of animal-based iron sources is typically more effective in treating iron-deficiency anemia.

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5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
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Abrus
Achyranthes
Adzuki bean
Aerva lanata
Agrimonia pilosa
Ajuga
Alchornea
Alfalfa
Algae
Algal protein
Allium tuberosum
amaranth
amino acids
anchovies
Angelica
animal protein
animal Tissue
apple
Ardisia
ashwagandha
aster root
Asteraceae
astragaloside
astragalus
Auricularia
Autumn Olive
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
banana
baobab
bean
bee pollen
bee products
beef
Beef liver
Beef Protein
beet
bermuda grass
berry
Bidens pilosa
biota seed
bird\'s nest
black cumin
black gram
black nightshade
blackberry
blackboard tree
Blepharis
Blue-Green Alage
Boerhavia diffusa
bok choy
Bombax
bone marrow
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
bovine
bovine liver
bovine protein
bovine spleen
breadnut
broad bean
broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Buckwheat
buffalo
Butea monosperma
butternut
C-phycocyanin
Caesalpinia crista
canihua
capillary artemisia
cashew
cassava
caterpillar mushroom
catjang cowpea
Celosia
cereal grass
chard
chestnut
chickpea protein
chlorella
Chlorophytum
cistanche
Citrus
coconut milk
Codonopsis
collard
cordyceps
cowpea
cumin
Curcuma
currant
Cyathula
Cynomorium
cytokines
date
deer root
dehydroascorbic acid
dodder
dog rose
Dolichos
dong quai
dong quai root
dragon fruit
dulse
dulse leaf
Eclipta
egg
Embelia
empresstree
Eupolyphaga sinensis
European five-finger grass
Fagopyrum
ferric ammonium citrate
ferric citrate
ferric orthophosphate
ferritin
fig
fish
fish protein
fo-ti
folate
folic acid
folinic acid
Foxtail millet
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit
fu ling
fulvic acid
ganoderma
garbanzo bean
garden cress
ginger
ginseng
Ginsenosides
goji berry
gooseberry
greens blend (proprietary)
Helicteres isora
herbal blend (proprietary)
hibiscus
hijiki
Histidine
horse gram
Huang hua
hyacinth bean
Hygrophila
Ilex
Indian coraltree
Indian tinospora
intrinsic factor
iron
jujube
jungli-bean
kale
kidney beans
kiwi
Kokilaksha
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lemon
Lentil
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Leptadenia
licorice root
lingzhi
liquid liver fractions
little ironweed
longan
Loranthus
lotus seed
lucuma
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maca
Marine protein
Methylcobalamin
Microcos
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millet seed
Mineral ascorbate
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Momordica
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Moringa
Morus
Mugwort
Mulberry
Mung bean
Nettle
Nigella seed
Nori
nut grass
oat
Onosma bracteatum
orange
oyster mushroom
Palmyra
parsley
paw paw
peony
Persimmon
Phaeophyceae
Phosphate ascorbate
Phycocyanin
Phyllanthus
Physalis angulata
Plankton
plantain
plum fruit
pollen
Polygonatum
pomegranate
pomelo
Portulaca
protein
Prunus
pumpkin
punarnava
purslane
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
quail egg
quinoa
Rehmannia
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
rhizome
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
root tuber
Rosa roxburghii
royal jelly
Rubia cordifolia
Rubia yunnanensis
Rubiaceae
Rubus
Rumex acetosa
seaweed
sesame
Sesbania
shen-chu
shepherd's purse
shiitake mushroom
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Sicklepod
Solanum anguivi
soybean
spinach
spirulina
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suma
Tamarind
Taraxacum
Taxillus chinensis
Tayuya
Terminalia
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Tinospora cordifolia
trace minerals
Trichosanthes
Triphala
Tropical jewel hisbiscus
Vegetable Protein
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
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wheat germ
wheat grass
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