Tag Archives: Low Heamoglobin

Branolia Health, Kalmegh, Kulekhara, Kulerron

Anemia at Older Age

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With population aging, Anemia in older patients is a condition which doctors have to increasingly deal with. Large prospective registry studies have revealed an overall prevalence of anemia ranging from 10% to 24% in older individuals. Senior adults admitted to the hospital are more frequently affected by anemia (40%), and the prevalence is even higher (47%) in nursing home residents. Incidence of anemia rises with age with from 17% for males and 13% for females for mean age of 65 yrs to 45% for males and 30% of females in 85 yrs old age bracket.

Old_Age_Amenia

World Health Organization (WHO) thresholds were established in 1968 in a cohort of persons <65 years old, defining anemia as a hemoglobin (Hb) level of <130 g/L in men and <120 g/L in women. However, Hb levels decline with age and are distinct in different ethnic groups.

Low Hb levels are a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, cognitive impairment, insomnia, impaired mood, and restricted Quality of Life. Moreover, anemia is associated with reduced physical performance. Low Hb levels are associated with an increased risk for falls and fractures. In addition, the presence of anemia is significantly associated with more frequent hospitalization and longer hospital stays for the elderly.

The various types of anemia affecting the elderly:

Anemia based on iron, folate, and/or vitamin B12 deficiency

Iron depletion is often associated with malnutrition. Age-dependent alterations in function of Gastro Intestinal Tract, concurrent use of multiple medications, and social isolation may lead to malnutrition and subsequent anemia. Bleeding due to a variety of medications (eg, acetylsalicylic acid, standard or direct oral anticoagulants) or GI diseases, including cancer, is the most frequent cause of iron-deficient anemia in older patients.

Anemia developing in the context of Chronic Kidney Disease

At least one-third of anemic patients older than 65 years show a hyper-inflammatory state typical for Chronic kidney disease(CKD) or for AI (cancer, autoimmune disease, and chronic infection). Renal failure results in severe anemia because of reduced EPO production. Erythropoietin (EPO) is the glycoprotein hormone that promotes differentiation of Erythroid Progenitor cells in bone marrow.

Clonal Anemia

Anemia is a condition wherein the number of red blood cells decreases in number and thus the oxygen carrying capacity of blood falls. Generally it is owed to iron deficiency. However in the older population it may be because of mutation in the blood cells. Though mutations take place in our body throughout our lifetime, they are small and cause no trouble. However as we grow older, the effect of these accumulated mutations become visible.

Branolia’s Kulleron brings in the goodness of Kulekhara in helping maintain hemoglobin levels in the blood. Kulekhara herb has been known for its anemia combating abilities in traditional medicine and ratified by modern research. Kulekhara contains 7.03 mg/100 gm of iron as well as other micro nutrients like sodium, potassium and copper. All this goodness goes into Kulleron which is prepared from the whole plant including root, leaves and stem.

Kulleron is an ayurvedic formulation. Advice of the doctor for persistent anemia is recommended.

Reference:

  1. Gaskell H, Derry S, Andrew Moore R, McQuay HJ. Prevalence of anaemia in older persons: systematic review. BMC Geriatr. 2008;8:1.
  2. Merchant AA, Roy CN. Not so benign haematology: anaemia of the elderly. Br J Haematol.2012;156(2):173-185.
  3. Stauder R, Thein SL. Anemia in the elderly: clinical implications and new therapeutic concepts.Haematologica. 2014;99(7):1127-1130.
  4. Artz AS, Thirman MJ. Unexplained anemia predominates despite an intensive evaluation in a racially diverse cohort of older adults from a referral anemia clinic. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci.2011;66A(8):925-932.
  5. Valent P. Anaemia of the elderly (AOE): does it exist and does it matter in clinical practice? Eur J Clin Invest. 2008;38(10):782-783.
  6. Valent P, Horny HP, Bennett JM, et al. Definitions and standards in the diagnosis and treatment of the myelodysplastic syndromes: consensus statements and report from a working conference. Leuk Res. 2007;31(6):727-736.
  7. Valent P, Orazi A, Steensma DP, et al. Proposed minimal diagnostic criteria for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and potential pre-MDS conditions. Oncotarget. 2017;8(43):73483-73500.
Branolia Health, Kulekhara, Kulerron

Kulekhara: The Wonder Herb for Nutritional Security

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Kulekhara herb is a missed opportunity for bringing in nutrition security to the poorest and the marginalized. Kulekhara grows in the wild in most parts of the country and is a very hardy plant. However, despite its easy availability and high nutritional value, Kulekhara remains unknown and unheralded to the majority of Indians despite its potential. It’s almost akin to relegating Einstein to teach mathematics in a primary school.

Kulekhara or, Hygrophila auriculata is known by local names; In Bengali, it is called kulekhara, In Sanskrit Ikshugandha, Kokilaksha and in Hindi Talimakhana. It is a spiny bush and is common throughout India. Though the whole plant has been used medicinally root & leaves are used more. Ayurveda texts cite its efficacy in skin diseases, dropsy, and sleeplessness. It is found useful against renal stones too. The plant is used as a demulcent, aphrodisiac, diuretic, urinary tonic and hepatoprotective substance. Its biggest claim to fame is using for increasing Haemoglobin in blood.

A.Gomes et al. (2001) studied the effect of ethanolic extract of Kulekhara leaves on male albino rats. The result of this study showed the significantly increased of hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC and total WBC counts and the Total Iron Binding Capacity in male albino anemic rats.

Mukherjee and Dutta De (2017) in a seminal piece of work studied the mineral content in Kulekhara leaves. These results confirm Kulekhara’s pre-eminent position as high on nutrition levels.

When we compare Kulekhara with other more popular leafy herbs like spinach, Ipomoea, bottle gourd and amaranth leaf, Kulekhara emerges as a clear winner on many counts. A comparison of the mineral nutrient content of Kulekhara as compared to other herbs is given below:

Spinach is a household food item with many recipes based on Spinach being available. However, Kulekhara in many of the nutrient content is better than Spinach. For iron, copper and vitamin C, Kulekhara beats Spinach hands down. Unfortunately, Kulekhara has not achieved the required importance in the kitchen of Indian households to the extent Spinach has.

We at Branolia strongly believe that including Kulekhara in the midday meals of schools and Anganwadi (ICDS) centers across the country may be seriously considered. It grows everywhere, it is cheap and it is a great source of micronutrients, which is required for brain development in the growing years of children.

Branolia’s Kulerron packs the goodness of Kulekhara leaves and root, to bring to you not only micronutrients of the leaves but nutrients found in the Kulekhara root including alkaloid, Phytosterol, Potassium Salt of Oxalic Acid, Diastase, Protease and Essential Oil.

Kulerron is the only formulation available in the market which packs the richness of Kulekhara. We remain a committed soldier in the fight of the nation against iron and micronutrient deficiency.

Reference:

Gomes, Manika Das & S.C Dasgupta “ Haemanitic effect of hydrophilic spinasa T, Anderson on experimental rodents” Indian Journal of Experimental Biology Vol. 39, April 2001, pp. 381-382

Mukherjee C., Datta De S, Estimation of Micronutrients in Fresh Kulekhara Leaves (Hygophilla Auriculata), International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) 2319-7064, 2017

Kulerron

Kulekhara – A Medicinal Herb

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Kulekhara botanically named as Hygrophila spinose T, in English it is called Swampweeds, in Hindi Talimakhana is a flowering plant with medicinal values. It is mentioned in Ayurveda that the plant Kulekhara, is derived from the word Kokilasha, meaning eyes like the Indian cuckoo bird,kokila. This plant is believed to be a native of India and is grown generally in the swamp areas under tropical or subtropical climate. The flowers of this plant are generally purple in colour and are commonly used for medicinal purpose. A well known pharmaceutical company Branolia Chemicals has researched and prepared Kulerron, which harnesses the goodness of the Kulekhara leaf to fight iron deficiency in the blood.

Traditional Uses of Kulekhara

The leaves of the Kulekhara plant are often used as a part of the daily cuisine especially in eastern India. The leaves are used in salad and also as a regular saag dish with small fish and mustard. Oil extracted from the entire plant has a huge amount of antibacterial properties which is helpful in various kind of illness. The leaf extract from Kulekhara is also used to cure diarrhoea, inflammation, pain abdominal disorders and anaemia. The seeds of this plant also have medicinal values and have been used in the treatment of several blood disorders and urinary problems.

Effects of Kulekhara Leaf

The various beneficial actions of the Kulekhara plant has been researched and studied in detail. Some of the important benefits are:

  • Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic action – The experiments on animal and isolated cells confirm the anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect of H- Spinosa / Kulekhara. When it was administered to Brewster’s yeast induced pyrexia rats, the chloroform extract showed most effective in lowering the body temperature at doses 400 mg/kg of body weight.
  • Hematopoietic effect- The leaves and stems of the Kulekhara plant have been used to treat anaemia, which denotes deficiency of iron in the blood is a condition suffered globally by people of all ages. It is known to increase the hemoglobin in the blood. A study was conducted on rodents and it was found to increase their level of red blood cell and WBC count. (Gomes, Manika Das an SC Dasgupta, Department of Physiology, the University of Calcutta, Published in Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol 39, April 2001, pp 381-382, “Haematinic effect of Hydrophilia Spinosa on experimental rodents”.)
  • Antioxidant activity– The herbs shows significant antioxidant properties which are highly beneficial for health.   Antioxidants are also known to protect the body from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. Experts believe this damage is a factor in the development of blood vessel disease (atherosclerosis), cancer, and other conditions.
  • Antibacterial and anthelmintic action – The leaves and other extracts of the Kulekhara plant is highly antibacterial in nature. Antibiotic-like herbs are also known as astringent—meaning natural blood cleansers. The word anti (against)-biotic (life) refers to a list of pharmaceutical antimicrobials designed to kill harmful bacteria in the host body. They support the immune system and help to protect the body from certain harmful bacteria.

Kulerron from the house of Branolia Chemicals has Kulekhara as its main ingredient and is considered one of the best antidotes to cure the iron deficiency.