The paradox of anemia with high meat intake: a review of the multifactorial etiology of anemia in the Inuit of North America

Nutr Rev. 2008 May;66(5):256-71. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2008.00030.x.

Abstract

Anemia is a serious concern among indigenous populations in North America, and it appears to be widespread among the Inuit despite abundant intakes of heme iron. It is therefore hypothesized that anemia for the Inuit involves other dietary factors not usually associated with animal foods, such as low intakes of vitamin A and/or folate, riboflavin, and vitamin C. Also, Helicobacter pylori infection and/or parasitosis may result in gastrointestinal blood loss and/or functional iron deficiency. This review aims to describe factors that may cause anemia in Inuit populations despite high meat intakes, abundant bioavailable iron, and other important hematological nutrients.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / epidemiology
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / ethnology*
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / etiology*
  • Biological Availability
  • Folic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Folic Acid / pharmacology
  • Helicobacter Infections / complications
  • Helicobacter pylori
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Absorption
  • Inuit*
  • Iron / metabolism
  • Iron Deficiencies*
  • Iron, Dietary / administration & dosage*
  • Iron, Dietary / pharmacokinetics
  • Meat
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Vitamin A / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin A / pharmacology
  • Vitamin E / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin E / pharmacology

Substances

  • Iron, Dietary
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin E
  • Folic Acid
  • Iron