Evaluation of Efficacy of Medicinal Plant Supplementation Strategy Against Anemia
Main Article Content
Abstract
Introduction: Anemia is one of the most common disorders prevalent across the globe, characterized by lower hemoglobin level, causing lesser oxygen supply to cells, eventually developing an array of clinical signs. Women, due to their greater iron requirement and higher iron loss throughout the reproductive age, maximum during pregnancy and lactation, suffer mostly. Among a wide variety of causative factors, iron deficiency is the most common. Pharmaceutical interventions, in the form of iron supplements along with dietary management with iron rich foods are being adopted to address this issue. However, certain limitations of both methods are challenging to explore newer strategies. Kulekhara, a common Indian medicinal plant, having low cost, easy availability and no clinically documented side effects cab ne effective option; though lack of awareness is limiting its capability to curb the issue of anemia at large scale.
Objectives: Evaluating the efficacy of Kulekhara, along with detailed nutritional assessment, in improving the condition of anemia and also to make people aware of its benefits.
Methods: Women of age group of 19-40 years (reproductive / child bearing age group) from moderate socio-economic background were chosen for the study, based on exclusion criteria. Detailed nutritional assessment, including 24-hour dietary recall, diet survey; BMI calculation; clinical / physical examination of signs and symptoms; estimation of Hemoglobin (Hb) level were performed, followed by statistical analysis. Kulekhara was introduced and re-evaluation of the clinical signs and hematological parameters were made, followed by statistical analysis.
Result: Despite a satisfactory range of food habits, preferences, lifestyles, nutritional support, anemia was prevalent, according to the clinical signs. Hb level was also lower than normal range. After Kulekhara supplementation, significant improvement was noticed in both parameters, namely physical and hematological examinations.
Conclusion: Kulekhara supplementation can be effective boon to improve anemic conditions and eventually be effective to curb anemia at large scale.
Article Details
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