Guest guest Posted October 14, 2004 Report Share Posted October 14, 2004 " HSI - Jenny Thompson " <HSIResearch Wound Up Wed, 13 Oct 2004 09:43:30 -0400 Wound Up Health Sciences Institute e-Alert October 13, 2004 Dear Reader, At HSI we strongly believe that aging should not be equated with " winding down. " On the contrary – except for cases where chronic disorders exist, there's no reason to accept anything less than optimal health and vitality in our later years. Nevertheless, many older people simply accept fatigue, frequent infections or lapses of attention as normal signs of aging. In fact, these conditions are typical symptoms of anemia, which is a somewhat common disorder among the elderly. But underestimating anemia or simply dismissing it as a part of the aging process can lead to more serious problems, as revealed in a study from Wake Forest University. --------------------------- Getting physical --------------------------- Researchers at Wake Forest designed a study to see if anemia in older subjects increases the risk of decline in physical function. More than 1,140 subjects were recruited, all over the age of 71. Anemia was identified by using criteria established by the World Health Organization (WHO): hemoglobin concentration below 13 g/dl (grams per deciliter) for men, and below 12 g/dl for women. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells, and anemia is defined as having a low number of red blood cells. These cells are crucial for carrying oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body. As the Wake Forest team reported in the American Journal of Medicine, the physical performance of each subject was followed for a period of four years. Subjects were assessed with a standing balance test, a timed 2.4-meter walk, and a timed test of five chair rises. After adjusting for general health status and demographic features, the data revealed these results: * Overall, anemia was associated with greater decline in physical performance, compared to subjects who were not anemic * Decline in physical performance was noted even among anemic subjects who were completely free of diseases associated with anemia (such as kidney failure and cancer) * Subjects with borderline anemia (one g/dl above the WHO criteria) also had greater physical decline compared to subjects with normal hemoglobin levels This study confirms a potential crisis that many doctors simply don't recognize: Anemia in older patients is an independent risk factor for physical decline. --------------------------- The auto-pilot solution --------------------------- Because anemia has long been associated with iron deficiency, many health care professionals will simply recommend an iron supplement for anemia and leave it at that. For instance, a recent study that looked at iron deficiency and immune function in 72 older women found that low iron levels may compromise immunity, making anemic patients vulnerable to infections. The lead researcher of that University of Pennsylvania study commented that a planned follow up study would examine the effect of iron supplements on iron deficient subjects with impaired immunity. I admit that sounds like a logical progression, and I'll be interested in seeing the results. But reaching for the supplements may not be the best idea in this case, because iron can cause problems in high doses. In the e-Alert, " Women of Iron " (5/11/04), HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., noted that the RDA of iron is far too high. As he explained: " Even if you were proven to have anemia, I wouldn't treat it with inorganic iron. The mineral is too reactive in the body when it is not insulated from the system by being encased within the heme structure of hemoglobin. Free radical formation from free iron is just too much of a threat. " Dietary sources of heme iron come exclusively from red meat, fish, pork, and poultry, with beef liver and chicken liver having the highest amounts of iron. An additional intake of vitamin C can also help the body absorb iron. --------------------------- Not to be taken lightly --------------------------- The two primary causes of anemia are iron-poor blood (often triggered by menstruation or internal bleeding), and a deficiency in two critical vitamins: folic acid and vitamin B-12. Getting good amounts of these nutrients is especially important for seniors because as we age our ability to absorb vitamins from food diminishes. Consequently, our tendency to develop anemia rises. Anemia is easily diagnosed with a typical blood test, so ask your doctor to check your next blood test for a reading of your hemoglobin level - especially if you're feeling unusually fatigued. If you do have an anemic condition, the next step is to find out the cause. But if your doctor downplays anemia's importance, or if he recommends a prescription drug, seek a second opinion from a doctor who's knowledgeable about the nutritional problems that can cause an anemic condition. ************************************************************** ....and another thing Flipping through last week's issue of The New Yorker magazine, I came across this amusing bit, tucked away at the end of an article: HEADLINE OF THE WEEK: From the Hermann ( Mo.) Advertiser-Courier. " Prostate Cancer More Common in Men " Yes, it's true, men. But on the plus side: Many men beat this disease, but to date there's not a single case of a woman surviving prostate cancer. To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson Health Sciences Institute ************************************************************** Sources: " Anemia and Decline in Physical Performance Among Older Persons " American Journal of Medicine " Vol. 115, No. 2, 8/1/03, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov " Immune Function is Impaired in Iron-Deficient, Homebound, Older Women " American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 79, No. 3, March 2004, ajcn.org " Unrecognized Iron Deficiency Can Impair Immunity in Older Women " News-Medical 9/29/04, news-medical.net " Elderly Should Consider Iron Supplementation " NutraIngredients.com, 9/30/04, nutraingredients.com Copyright ©1997-2004 by www.hsibaltimore.com, L.L.C. The e-Alert may not be posted on commercial sites without written permission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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