Why do runners struggle with anemia?

I don't think distance running causes the issue, a lot of people are probably anemic, and its effects are just magnified by running. That's just my guess

Keeping weight artificially low by such an extreme energy expenditure without adequate energy intake will do it.

Most distance runners have STUPID diets with not enough protein or iron.

Stress. Stress hormones to be exact. They are dramatically elevated in people who are training really hard. That's why you're more susceptible to getting sick when training really hard. Stress hormones not only depress the immune response, they depress erythropoiesis in total.

I believe iron is also lost in GI bleeding that occurs in runs of certain duration. The compounding losses of iron is not a big deal for male runners, but when female athletes get the added component of their menstrual cycle - it puts them at higher risk of anemia.

From first hand experience, I've met 4 female runners who have all dealt with anemia but I've never met a male runner that has.

Because most runners don't embrace eating red meat like they should.

/thread

African_Penguin wrote:

I believe iron is also lost in GI bleeding that occurs in runs of certain duration. The compounding losses of iron is not a big deal for male runners, but when female athletes get the added component of their menstrual cycle - it puts them at higher risk of anemia.

From first hand experience, I've met 4 female runners who have all dealt with anemia but I've never met a male runner that has.

I coached a male runner who was anemic. He struggled his freshman year. Got blood work done after a pretty bad xc season opener his soph year. He went from 30 min 8k to 27:30 in a month. He became a totally different runner. Huge confidence boost, challenging for the win in races. Ended up breaking 25 in the 8k his junior year.

Frosh times- 2:07, 4:20, 16:39.

Soph times- 2:00, 4:00, 15:11, 32:20.

After seeing such a huge improvement, getting blood work done is a MUST for distance runners.

See the Doc wrote:

I coached a male runner who was anemic. He struggled his freshman year. Got blood work done after a pretty bad xc season opener his soph year. He went from 30 min 8k to 27:30 in a month. He became a totally different runner. Huge confidence boost, challenging for the win in races. Ended up breaking 25 in the 8k his junior year.

Frosh times- 2:07, 4:20, 16:39.

Soph times- 2:00, 4:00, 15:11, 32:20.

After seeing such a huge improvement, getting blood work done is a MUST for distance runners.

It is remarkable what removing a few little vials of blood can do. I had no idea curing anemia was this simple.

Not a Fatty wrote:

See the Doc wrote:

I coached a male runner who was anemic. He struggled his freshman year. Got blood work done after a pretty bad xc season opener his soph year. He went from 30 min 8k to 27:30 in a month. He became a totally different runner. Huge confidence boost, challenging for the win in races. Ended up breaking 25 in the 8k his junior year.

Frosh times- 2:07, 4:20, 16:39.

Soph times- 2:00, 4:00, 15:11, 32:20.

After seeing such a huge improvement, getting blood work done is a MUST for distance runners.

It is remarkable what removing a few little vials of blood can do. I had no idea curing anemia was this simple.

He didn't know he was anemic. After his blood work, his doctor had him taking iron supplements twice a day. He also had several follow up tests done to monitor his progress.

Lack of meat in their diets.

But runners world told them to eat less meat.

You pay the bill.

What a bunch of morons.

Many runners suffer from CHRONIC IRON DEFICIENCY, not Anemia. There is a difference. As well, it seems to be a peculiarly North American phenomenom.Bottom line: it is largely due to bad diets.It boggles the mind the cr@p many pro or semi-pro runners eat in the U.S.Instagram photos of their Chipotle burritos and fast food. Overconsumption of alcohol as well.It's pretty obvious why there is a problem IN THE U.S. with chronic iron deficiency.

Camus wrote:

Simple enough question, to which I've not found a satisfying answer. Anecdotally, it seems to be a big problem. The published literature on the subject supports this as well.

Of course, foot strike hemolysis is an issue, and trace amounts of iron are lost in sweat. But these don't really account for the frequency and degree of the problem, I don't think.

Just so you know, anemia means not enough hemoglobin in the blood. Chronic iron deficiency is a common CAUSE of anemia, because without enough iron (and other nutrients), one cannot make enough hemoglobin for the red blood cells.

So, yes, runners do suffer from anemia, in that their hemoglobin is low. The CAUSE of that anemia is often chronic iron deficiency. But there can be other causes, too.

Also, iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia world wide:

http://www.who.int/topics/anaemia/en/

med school professor wrote:

Just so you know, anemia means not enough hemoglobin in the blood. Chronic iron deficiency is a common CAUSE of anemia, because without enough iron (and other nutrients), one cannot make enough hemoglobin for the red blood cells.

So, yes, runners do suffer from anemia, in that their hemoglobin is low. The CAUSE of that anemia is often chronic iron deficiency. But there can be other causes, too.

Also, iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia world wide:

http://www.who.int/topics/anaemia/en/

You're right, of course. I was simply using what I assumed to be a well-understood lay term that adequately communicated the intended query. Probably should have been more clear, however.

African_Penguin wrote:

I believe iron is also lost in GI bleeding that occurs in runs of certain duration.

Wait, what? Can you or someone else expand on this a little bit? The bleeding part and the who what why...