Dear Health Conscious Friend,

What do diabetes, stroke and anaemia all have in common? No, this isn't a riddle and it definitely isn't a joke! New research uncovers the dangers of taking meds for anaemia if you're suffering from diabetes and kidney failure.

Dr Martin reveals the risks below.

In the name of good health,

Taryn Strugnell
Managing Editor of Nutrition & Healing

P.S. Carrying on the subject of anaemia from today's main story, Dr Wright tells us how an iron deficiency isn't always the cause of anaemia and what you can do to find out what's causing it... 

New dangers linked to anaemia meds
Dr Edward Martin
Contributor to Healthier News

If you or anyone you care about takes meds for anaemia, pay close attention – because the news on these meds is not good!

A new study – the largest of its kind – found that a well-known, patented anaemia drug may significantly increase the risk of stroke in diabetics who suffer from kidney problems.

Ironic, since the study’s goal, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, was to find out if this medicine could actually prevent strokes, heart disease and heart attacks.

The researchers also found that patients on the drug noticed only a slight improvement in fatigue, one of the hallmark symptoms of anaemia. With benefits like that, who needs side effects?

But the most remarkable thing about this study isn't the results... it's the fact that it was sponsored by the drug's maker. The study's leader has consulted for the company and two of its authors actually work for it.

It must have seemed like a safe bet at the time.

Bravo to this team for being unafraid to bite the hand that's feeding it. The drug maker, for its part, says it will update the label to reflect this new risk.

That's nothing new for them. For two years now, the manufacturer has had to put stronger and stronger warnings on the labels of three anaemia drugs. It makes you think that a skull and crossbones might be better at this point.

If you're anaemic, go over your alternatives with your doctor. It's entirely possible that careful management of your diet and nutrition could help reduce your need for meds – or even allow you to skip the pills altogether.

Don't use an iron supplement as a quick solution – you'll want to get your iron largely from natural dietary sources, including leafy green vegetables and red meat. Beef and chicken livers also have plenty of iron, along with pork, chicken and fish
But all that iron in your food won't help much if you're not getting enough vitamin C. Believe it or not, C is just as important here because it helps your body to absorb all that dietary iron.

The B vitamins – including folic acid – and magnesium may also help your body fight off anaemia.

As always, bring your doctor in on this one, because it's difficult to find the right amounts and combinations on your own... and to know when it’s safe to consider getting off these meds before they do you some real harm.

Editor's note: Dr Wright answers a question on anaemia, keep reading...

"Ironing" out myths of anaemia

Q: I am anaemic (the fault of my bone marrow which does not produce enough red blood cells), but my doctors say I can't have iron because there is already too much in my liver. Do you have any information that might help me?

Dr. Wright: Anaemia isn't always a result of iron deficiency. Your letter doesn't say whether you've had your serum iron, iron binding capacity (IBC), percentage iron saturation and serum ferritin measured, all of which would help make that judgement.

However, your letter does say that your anaemia is the result of faulty bone marrow, which does not produce enough red blood cells. This may or may not have anything to do with iron. So it's a good idea to have the tests mentioned above done. If iron isn't the problem, other nutrients necessary for building blood - vitamin B12, folic acid, copper, manganese and cobalt (to name a few) - may be in short supply.

If you try those nutrients and are still having problems, there are two other frequently effective, safe and natural stimulants to bone marrow function. One is the mineral lithium and the other is a formula made up of substances called "shark alkylglycerols", which are found in shark liver oil.

As you've probably already guessed, this whole process can get complex. You can (and should) always contact a physician skilled in natural medicine for help with any testing or supplementing. To find such a physician in your area, contact the South African Society of Integrated Medicine on (021) 887-5364 or lucia@integrativemedicine.co.za.