Iron supplement with a lunch meal containing beef for Anemia, Iron-Deficiency

In populations where malaria is endemic, the role of parasites and parasites' products is important in the genesis of anemia and its serious consequences. In areas where malaria and anemia are not endemic, deficiencies of minerals and vitamins, or the presence of parasites other than malaria, are also important. The role of parasites in malnutrition must be taken into account in national strategies to combat anemia in those populations.

The mean number of people affected by these diseases per year in the US is 1 in 12. This calculation was based on a population of 17.6 million people in the US in 2000. One can also estimate the age-adjusted prevalence to be about 4.2% per year in the US. Thus, about 250,000 people per year are affected by these diseases in the US (1 per 1000 of the population).

The treatments for anemia, iron-deficiency are quite variable across the globe. It is extremely important for health care providers to understand the difference between the different types of anemia: the common and differential treatment of anemia. For some common treatments, it is also of value to note that these treatments may not be very effective either in reducing the severity of the symptoms or in reversing the anemic condition itself.

When anemia is first detected, symptoms of fatigue, weakness, pallor, and pale mucous membranes are found. These symptoms are not specific to anemia, and are probably due to myocardial stunning or to anemia itself. In more severe cases of anemia, there are signs of pallor and cold skin in extremities. This is not a non-specific finding with iron deficiency.

Anemia and ferritin are highly prevalent among infants and toddlers in developing countries. These infants are in need of prevention programs designed to reduce the risk of anemia.

The treatment of anemia and iron deficiency is much easier and safe than the treatment of many chronic diseases because of the lack of a cure for these diseases. Treating anemia with iron supplement pills or injections alone can result in an increase in blood hemoglobin level. Long-term iron-deficiency has serious health effects such as reduced exercise capacity, compromised body defenses against infections, and decreased economic productivity. To treat anemia and iron-deficiency, we should provide people with more information about these risks and benefits and provide them with easy, safe, and effective treatments.

Iron-deficiency anemia is a common problem worldwide. Most people who are otherwise healthy develop anemia in their middle years, often because a decrease in dietary iron. The most common causes of anemia in developed countries are vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency, which cause megaloblastic anemia and anemia in myeloproliferative disorders, respectively. Most adults who develop anemia have a mild disease that is mostly reversible in most cases and does not require the specialist medical services that are required for anemia caused by megaloblastic anemia (severe megaloblastosis and megakaryocytopenia) or folate deficiency. However, they may still experience fatigue and less activity.

Iron supplements that are used in conjunction with meals containing beef or chicken tend to result in more severe iron deficiency in patients with iron-deficiency anemia in Japan.

A daily supplement of iron during a normal meal did not result in increased free (non-heme) iron absorption into the intestine as judged by increased serum ferritin levels. This combination may be a safer approach to providing iron supplementation to people consuming a diet in which iron, if it is absorbed, is already in a non-toxic iron form, such as sideruria in some cases.

In a recent study, findings found that iron supplement combined with a small meal of beef in adolescents did not affect iron status. Further studies are needed to assess whether other small meals supplemented with beef are beneficial.

Clinical trials represent an open window for researchers to evaluate the efficacy of drugs. The inclusion of patients in Iron-Deficiency Anemia Clinical Trials is feasible but requires specific criteria for enrollment.