Further evidence that anemia may be life-threatening
Anemia can be a killer.
In a recent e-Alert I told you about a study that showed how anemia significantly increases the risk of hospitalization and early death in patients with chronic heart failure.
A new study from a Netherlands research team provides a good follow-up to that study, further underlining the potential danger of anemia.
For five years, Leiden University researchers followed more than 560 subjects who were all 85-years-old at the outset of the study. Nearly 30 percent of the subjects had anemia at the outset, and about 25 percent without anemia developed the condition during the study period.
As in the heart failure study, anemia again was linked to higher risk of premature death.
Anemia is famously known as “iron-poor blood.” But before reaching for the iron supplements (which may actually do more harm than good), anemia patients should consider increasing their intake of iron-rich foods such as beef liver, chicken liver, fish, and pork.
Dr. Spreen also recommends these supplements to address anemia:
- Vitamin C (which improves iron absorbency)
- Folic acid
- Vitamin B-12
- Vitamin B-6
- Magnesium
And although there is no evidence that increased selenium intake will have an effect on anemia, a recent study showed that blood levels of selenium tend to be lower in patients with anemia.
Talk to your doctor before adding new supplements to your daily regimen.
