people who are particularly susceptible to this form of anemia: infants, women, seniors and vegetarians. It may occur in infants, usually as the result of prolonged breast/milk feeding without the addition of iron fortified cereals or supplemental iron. Women have a monthly loss of blood during their menstrual cycle, which puts them at risk of low blood levels of iron. Vegetarians are very susceptible because the most common source of iron in our diet is red meat and animal products. Vegetarians generally consume more whole grains and tea than the rest of the population (at least this one does). The phytic acids in whole grains and tannins in tea tend to bind to iron in the stomach and prevent its absorption. Low blood iron in seniors can be caused by several factors; lower stomach acid, reduced iron absorption abilities, decreased caloric intake, etc.
If you are found to have low blood levels of iron, your Doctor may recommend an iron supplement. These are kept behind the Pharmacists counter. Ask your Peoples Pharmacist for more information about the different kinds of iron supplements. You are able to get iron supplements from a health food store. However, if your anemia was serious enough to seek medical attention, the low potency supplements found in health food stores may not contain a sufficient amount of iron. If you do take iron supplements try these recommendations

to help increase the absorption of this much-needed mineral. Try to take it on an empty stomach with some vitamin C. This often causes some stomach upset. If it does, take the iron supplement after meals. Do not take iron within 2 hours of whole grains, tea, wine or other mineral supplements like calcium or zinc. All of these items can interfere with the absorption of iron.
The next type of nutritional anemia is pernicious anemia. This is essentially a lack of vitamin B12, which is essential for red blood cell production. Generally the people most at risk are seniors and vegetarians. Vegetarians are very susceptible because the most common source of B12 in our diet is red meat and animal products. As one ages, their body loses its ability to absorb B12 from the stomach because it produces less intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor is required

Ian Lloyd...Continued On Page 6

The Med Manager is a medication compliance card that conveniently organizes your medications for a full week.
Your Peoples Pharmacist prepares the Med Manager with your daily doses as prescribed by your family physician. The Med Manager gives you the confidence your medications are being taken as prescribed.

The Med Manager Can:
• Easily identify what medications are to be taken at what time of the day.
• Consolidate all your prescriptions, vitamins, supplements and other medications in one easy to use card.
• Help people who have difficulty opening numerous vials and bottles.
The Med Manager provides easy to push out blister packaging.
• Give you the confidence that independent living family members are properly taking their daily medications.

Ask Your Peoples Pharmacist For More Information
on the Med Manager.

 

WHERE PEOPLE COME FIRST ../hr98sept/PDM%20LOGO  WHERE PEOPLE COME FIRST