Can eels treat anemia?
Aug 19, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yu Yongchao
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, eels cannot treat anemia. When consuming eels, ensure they are thoroughly cooked to avoid parasitic infection. Do not eat excessive amounts at one time; maintain a diversified diet and combine with other foods rich in iron and vitamin C. Patients with gout or elevated uric acid levels should reduce consumption to avoid excessive intake of purines. If symptoms such as skin itching or abdominal pain occur after consumption, seek medical attention promptly.
Under normal circumstances, eels cannot treat anemia. Detailed analysis is as follows:
Anemia can be caused by various factors, such as iron deficiency, vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency, or abnormal bone marrow hematopoietic function. Different causes require targeted treatment. Although eels contain certain amounts of iron and protein—iron being a building block for hemoglobin and protein helping maintain bodily functions—the levels of these nutrients are limited. Relying solely on eel consumption cannot meet the required nutritional supplementation for treating anemia. Moreover, most of the iron in eels is non-heme iron, which has lower absorption and utilization rates, making it difficult to effectively improve iron-deficiency anemia, let alone address anemia caused by other underlying conditions.
When consuming eels, ensure they are thoroughly cooked to avoid parasitic infection. Consumption should be moderate, and dietary diversity should be maintained by combining eels with other iron-rich foods and those high in vitamin C. Patients with gout or elevated uric acid levels should limit eel intake to avoid excessive purine consumption. If symptoms such as skin itching or abdominal pain occur after consumption, stop eating eels and monitor any changes in symptoms.
