Wound Up
Health Sciences Institute e-Alert
October 13, 2004
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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.
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Getting physical
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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.
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The auto-pilot solution
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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.
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Not to be taken lightly
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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.
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How to Pummel Old Age and Please Your Wife
This "miracle cure" helps you increase muscle mass and grow lean
again. It helps you burn body fat and turn heads on the golf
course.
It sharpens your memory, focuses your mind, and banishes
depression...
It can even improve your marriage by boosting your power and
virility...
No, it's not some side effect laden drug, it's a natural
chemical your body flooded you with when you became a man. The
problem is, your body stops the flow as you age. Now, learn how
your body can naturally produce this "miracle cure" again:
http://www.youreletters.com/t/66829/3786805/649743/0/
(if you can't open here use the HTML links listed below)
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...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
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FINALLY! SOMETHING OTHER THAN GLUCOSAMINE
TO STAVE OFF JOINT DISCOMFORT
Do you remember the last time you rolled out of bed without
feeling stiff and sore? Can you imagine swinging a golf club,
or spending the afternoon gardening...without paying for it
with days of discomfort? Now you can!
Scientists in New Zealand discovered a new alternative in the fight
to keep joints healthy�
Let�s face it � today�s typical glucosamine and chondroitin supplements
don�t work for everyone. Leaving thousands to face the discomfort of aging
joints � with not much more than drugs or surgery to look forward to. Now,
there�s a new natural alternative...
It's time to maintain your mobility and freedom - for many painless years
to come. Visit below to find out more:
http://www.youreletters.com/t/66829/3786805/644890/0/
(if you can't open here use the HTML links listed below)
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To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit:
http://www.agora-inc.com/reports/hsi/freecopya
Or forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to
receive their own copy of the HSI e-Alert.
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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 (c)1997-2004 by www.hsibaltimore.com, L.L.C.
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written permission.
AOL HTML links
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<a href="http://www.youreletters.com/t/66829/3786805/649743/0/";>How to Pummel Old Age
and Please Your Wife</a>
<a href="http://www.youreletters.com/t/66829/3786805/644890/0/";>FINALLY! SOMETHING
OTHER THAN GLUCOSAMINE TO STAVE OFF JOINT DISCOMFORT
</a>
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