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New Test Diagnoses Anemia in Chronic Disease Washington Post, United States - 5 (HealthDay News) -- A new tool for diagnosing anemia related to chronic illness and diseases of iron overload has been developed by US researchers. ... Key site in iron metabolism aids in diagnosing anemia of chronic ... EurekAlert (press release) Metabolic insight to illuminate causes of iron imbalance EurekAlert (press release) all 20 news articles » Treatment With Anti-anemia Drugs May Not Be Safe For Multiple ... Science Daily (press release) - For the past 15 years, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents have been used in the management of cancer-related anemia, but researcher Eirini Katodritou ... Four mln Nigerians suffer from sickle cell anemia Xinhua, China - 4 (Xinhua) -- No fewer than 4 million Nigerians are currently suffering from the sickle cell anemia while about 2 million are carriers, an official with ... Ontario Now FDA Orders Company To Change Anemia Drug Labels Ontario Now, Canada - Aug 1, 2008 Washington, DC- In a move that has been widely expected in the marketplace, the FDA ordered the Amgen Company to change how it labels its anemia drugs, ... FDA: More Label Warnings for Anemia Drugs TheStreet.com - Jul 30, 2008 The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday issued anticipated label revisions for anemia drugs such as Amgen's AMGN Aranesp and Johnson & Johnson's JNJ ...JNJ - AMGN Amgen anemia drug label change has little impact Forbes, NY - Jul 31, 2008 AP 07.31.08, 10:44 AM ET Wall Street brushed off concerns over new labeling for Amgen's troubled anemia drugs Thursday, with many analysts saying the ...AMGN FDA puts new restrictions on Amgen's Aranesp Los Angeles Times, CA - Jul 30, 2008 A warning label will state that the anemia treatment should not be taken by some cancer patients. By Conor L. Sanchez, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer ...AMGN FDA Orders Changes In Labeling of Anemia Drug Wall Street Journal - Jul 30, 2008 By THOMAS GRYTA NEW YORK -- The US Food and Drug Administration has ordered changes to the labels of anemia drugs sold by Amgen Inc. and Johnson & Johnson, ...AMGN - JNJ FDA Strikes Another Blow to Amgen's Anemic Drug Sales istockAnalyst.com, OR - Jul 31, 2008 Amgen (NYSE:AMGN) made its reputation as one of the premier firms in the biotechnology industry with its blockbuster anemia drugs, Aranesp and Epogen. ...AMGN US FDA orders Amgen to add new anemia drug warning guardian.co.uk, UK - Jul 30, 2008 By Lisa Richwine WASHINGTON, July 30 (Reuters) - US health officials ordered Amgen Inc on Wednesday to add new warnings to its widely used anemia drug ...AMGN

Focus on: anaemia

 Eighty-nine per cent of women eat less than the daily recommended intake of iron, while almost one third of these are thought to be anaemic - a debilitating condition that leaves sufferers tired, forgetful and feeling faint.

WHAT IS IT?
The most common cause of anaemia, or low levels of red blood cells in the blood, is iron deficiency. Iron is a vital component of haemoglobin, a molecule in red blood cells which carries oxygen around the body, providing fuel for energy metabolism.

If iron supplies in the diet are low, the body cannot make enough haemoglobin, and the number of red blood cells in the blood falls. With fewer oxygencarrying cells to fuel tissues, anaemic people develop symptoms such as fatigue, apathy, lack of concentration and dizziness.

Anaemia can also be caused by blood loss through heavy menstrual bleeding, accidents or childbirth. Medications such as aspirin or non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs occasionally induces the condition by causing internal bleeding.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
While fatigue, listlessness, irritability and a pallid complexion are the most common symptoms, iron- deficient anaemia can also result in a sore or swollen tongue, an enlarged spleen and abnormal cravings to eat dirt or ice, a condition known as pica.

Sufferers may also develop rapid breathing and a fast pulse rate. As the symptoms of iron-deficiency anaemia may resemble other blood conditions or medical problems, you should always consult your doctor for a diagnosis.

WHAT CAUSES IT?
The most easily absorbed forms of iron come from red meat, so vegetarians and people who eat only a little meat may suffer from a degree of irondeficiency anaemia. While iron is obtained from foods, only 1mg is absorbed for every 10mg to 20mg eaten.

The condition may strike during growth spurts in childhood or adolescence, or during pregnancy when the body needs to increase its red blood cell production.

Blood loss due to heavy menstrual bleeding or injury can cause anaemia because iron lost in blood is greater than the amount of iron eaten. Malabsorption of iron which may occur after some forms of gastrointestinal surgeries can also bring on the condition.

WHO GETS IT?
Women who have heavy periods are especially prone to irondeficient anaemia, and many suffer symptoms such as fatigue on a regular basis without knowing why.

People who become vegetarian and don't replace meat with ironrich foods, such as spinach, prunes and chickpeas, are also at risk.

HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?
Your doctor or nutritionist will ask about your symptoms, lifestyle and medical history. They might also do a physical examination to identify a fast heartbeat (tachycardia). Iron- deficiency anaemia is usually confirmed with a blood test that measures the amount of haemoglobin and iron in the blood.

HOW IS IT TREATED?
The condition is best treated through diet and supplementation in the form of capsules or an iron-rich liquid.

In people suffering anaemia due to blood loss or malabsorption, specialists will address the cause of blood loss, such as a stomach ulcer.

Nutritionists may attempt to improve iron-absorption across the gut by giving supplements such as vitamin C, beneficial bacteria or essential fatty acids.

Vegetarians may be given supplements, but will be advised on iron-rich foods to treat and prevent the condition through diet.

CAN DIET PREVENT IT?
As only a small proportion of iron in the diet is absorbed, the key to raising iron levels is knowing which food sources of iron are easiest to absorb and which nutrients increase iron uptake.

Iron in animal protein foods, such as meat, is easily absorbed by the body.

However, in plant foods - such as green leafy vegetables and legumes - iron must be broken down before it can be used because it is less easily absorbed than iron in meat. Vitamin C converts iron into a form that can be absorbed well.

Good protein sources of iron include clams, mussels and oysters. The main vegetable sources are leafy greens from the cabbage family, such as broccoli and kale, and legumes, such as green peas, chickpeas and canned baked beans.

Prunes, walnuts, raisins and spinach are also good iron sources. The most easily absorbed vegetable sources are broccoli, kale, prunes and spinach which are also high in vitamin C. Don't take iron supplements with tea or wine, however, because they contain tannins - chemicals which bind to iron in the gut, preventing it from being absorbed into the bloodstream.

THE BEST SUPPLEMENT?
Iron supplements come in liquid and tablet form and need to be taken over several months to increase iron levels in the blood.

Liquid supplements are easier to absorb. Floravital's herbal iron

and vitamin formula (£11.49 for 250ml) or Spatone's concentrated formula (£6.49 for a month's supply) are designed for maximum absorption.

They lessen the risk of constipation and stomach irritation, common side-effects of iron supplementation.

The best iron tablets come in a complex which includes vitamin C to encourage uptake into the blood (Biocare Iron Complex, £10.95 for 90 capsules).

Higher Nature sell an iron supplement with 'friendly yeasts' which helps absorption across the gut. Eating fruit rich in vitamin C will also help this.