SCU wants women to help with anaemia research
If you are a woman aged between 18 and 40 who often feels tired, researchers at Southern Cross University would like to hear from you.
Dr Joan O’Connor, the clinical trials co-ordinator for the Australian Centre for Complementary Medicine, Education and Research (ACCMER), is conducting a trial with a natural medicine formulation to improve mild anaemia.
ACCMER is a joint venture between the University of Queensland and Southern Cross University committed to evidenced-based research into complementary medicine.
Dr O’Connor is looking for women who may also at times experience dizziness, breathlessness, insomnia or headaches.
Anaemia, a lack of iron in the blood, can lead to that totally washed out feeling many women experience.
Dr O’Connor said women were at greater risk of developing an iron deficiency due to the effect of menstruation and child bearing, with one in every three women developing an iron deficiency by the time they reach 45 to 50, although even young women can become anaemic.
Hereditary factors, nutrition deficits (especially for those following a vegetarian diet which hasn’t been adequately planned to include iron-rich foods) and blood loss can also lead to anaemia.
Abundant sources of iron include cooked beans and legumes, dark leafy greens like spinach and lean red meat. Some breakfast cereals are fortified with iron.
Women interested in joining the clinical trial will need to take the natural medicine formulation and visit SCU three times over a six-week period for a simple blood test.
You can call Dr O’Connor on 6620 3649 or email on joconnor@scu.edu.au
