Common Household Item Could Be Used to Treat Anemia

According to an article by Robert Miller of Dallas News, new research promises a new hope in treatment for anemia patients.

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center were looking for novel treatments for anemia and found that giving anemic mice acetate, the major component of household vinegar, stimulated the formation of new red blood cells. For those unfamiliar with anemia, those who have it have an inability to consistently produce enough red blood cells which are crucial for the body.  It is the most common blood disorder in the world.

“Using rational interventions based on the mechanistic insights gleaned from our current studies, we may be able to treat acutely or chronically anemic patients with acetate supplements and thereby reduce the need for blood transfusions or erythropoietin therapy,” said Dr. Joseph Garcia, an associate professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern who is the senior author of the study, published in Nature Medicine. “Our study shows that acetate functions as a biochemical ‘flare,’ linking changes in cell metabolism that occur during hypoxia with the activation of a selective stress signaling pathway.”

Congrats to these researchers.   WeBleed will continue to update as more information becomes available on a vinegar enhanced supplement for anemia.

Photo Credit – University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

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