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

Authors: Jamieson, Jennifer A; Kuhnlein, Harriet V

Source: Nutrition Reviews, Volume 66, Number 5, May 2008 , pp. 256-271(16)

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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.

Keywords: anemia; Helicobacter; indigenous people; Inuit; vitamin A

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-4887.2008.00030.x

Affiliations: 1: Centre for Indigenous Peoples' Nutrition and Environment (CINE) and School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Canada

Publication date: 2008-05-01