Which type of anemia is caused by a lack of sufficient iron in the diet?

Iron deficiency anemia is characterized by a reduction in the number of red blood cells due to insufficient iron levels in the diet or body. Iron is a crucial component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. When there is not enough iron available, the body cannot produce adequate hemoglobin, leading to a decreased capacity to transport oxygen throughout the body. This can result in symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and pallor.

In contrast, pernicious anemia is related to a deficiency in vitamin B12, not iron, which affects red blood cell production. Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder that causes abnormal hemoglobin structure, leading to misshapen red blood cells. Aplastic anemia results from a failure of the bone marrow to produce sufficient blood cells. These distinctions clarify why iron deficiency anemia specifically arises from a lack of iron in the diet.