Anemia symptoms in postmenopausal women linked to poor diet

Anemia symptoms in postmenopausal women linked to poor diet

Anemia symptoms such as pale skin, weakness, breathlessness and poor concentration among older women can be linked to poor nutrition, U.S. researchers reported in the April publication of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

The study of 72,833 women in post-menopausal stage showed that a lack of one nutrient is associated with a 21 percent hike in anemia symptoms. Those missing the appropriate levels for at least three dietary nutrients had a 44 percent increase in risk.

Older women participants who were found anemic ate less sources of folate, iron, red meat, protein, vitamin B12 and vitamin C than others.

Hispanic women tend to have the poorest diets more than any other race group, with 16.3 percent. They were followed by Blacks (15.3 percent), Native Americans (15.2 percent), and Asians/Pacific Islanders (14.6 percent). In comparison, just 7.4 percent of white women had insufficient nutrient intake.

The researchers said that anemia symptoms in this age group should receive more attention as the population ages rapidly in the coming years.

"Anemia, particularly iron deficiency, has been associated with reduced capacity for physical work and physical inactivity, injury related to falls and hospitalizations, making this an important concern in the aging," study author Cynthia A. Thomson of the University of Arizona said in a news release.

Factors associated with anemia include age, smoking and body mass index (BMI). Multivitamin and mineral supplement use was found to have no  links to lower rates of anemia.

In order to address the issue in this particular group of patients, the researchers urged all clinicians to put more emphasis on diet quality and adequate nutrient intake to alleviate anemia symptoms.

Posted by George Daniels on Monday March 28 2011, 3:53 AM EDT. Ref: Business Week. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Health. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0