A recent study has revealed that a significant portion of anaemia cases, traditionally linked to iron deficiency, are actually caused by other factors, such as low vitamin B12 levels and exposure to air pollution. The findings, published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, are based on a comprehensive community-level blood survey conducted across eight Indian states.

The study found that the prevalence of anaemia due to iron deficiency accounted for less than a third of the overall anaemia cases, challenging the common assumption that iron deficiency is the primary cause.

Researchers, including those from the Vitamin B12 India Study and the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN), Hyderabad, noted that low vitamin B12 levels and environmental factors like air pollution were also significant contributors to the rise in anaemia cases.

This groundbreaking research suggests the need for a broader approach in addressing anaemia, one that goes beyond iron supplementation to include interventions targeting vitamin B12 deficiency and environmental factors. The study underscores the complexity of anaemia and the importance of identifying all potential causes to improve public health outcomes.