Foods and Supplements for blood counts

[ElaineM]

I have had anemia off and on for 30 years, long before I was diagnosed with cancer.
I take liquid iron. Liquid is better than pills which can cause constipation. I am a vegetarian, but I still manage to eat foods that help all my blood counts. I never needed transfusions, procrit or other shots for my blood counts. Blackberries, blueberries, papaya, citrus fruits, dark orange sweet potatoes, beets, apricots,a couple cherry tomatoes, raisins, kelp, dark leafy veggies, broccoli or other crucifous veggies, lentils, other beans, and various kinds mushrooms are some of my favorites. I try to get all the colors of fruits and vegetables everyday. Organic blackstrap molasses also has iron. My naturopath told me a spoon of sesame seed oil once a day with food helps the body absorb the nutrients. I am not a big fan of sesame oil, but I try. I prefer olive oil.
I heard that for chocolate to act like an antioxidant it has to be 70% or more cocoa, so I started eating a small piece of dark chocolate that is 70% or more cocoa a couple times a week. I also try to eat fresh or frozen food and try to cook from scratch as much as possible.
I don't eat very many prepared foods. This takes a little more time, but I do it for my health.