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Leeches and lances might seem like prescriptions from the past. But bloodletting might be back in vogue. A small study shows that losing a little blood might improve cardiovascular health for obese people who also have what’s called metabolic syndrome.
The study tracked 33 patients with metabolic syndrome—defined by the presence of some of an assortment of conditions, such as high cholesterol, hypertension and insulin resistance. Researchers took 300 milliliters of blood from the patients, a little less than the one pint standard donation, with a repeat treatment a month later.
After six weeks, treated adults had lower blood pressure than the control group. Glucose levels also decreased, which suggests limited blood removal might improve metabolic health. The findings are in the journal BMC Medicine. [Khosrow Houschyar et al., "Effects of phlebotomy-induced reduction of body iron stores on metabolic syndrome: results from a randomized clinical trial"]
The researchers think that the blood loss reduces iron levels. And excess iron in the blood has been tied to many metabolic syndrome ailments.
The FDA has okayed leeches for some procedures. Which could lead patients to thank their doctors for a treatment that sucks.
—Katherine Harmon
[The above text is an exact transcript of this podcast.]
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6 Comments
Add Commentwow, the argument regarding phlebotomy continues to see saw. 1997 saw a study which showed a 30% in heart attacks in those who gave blood and 2001 another study (probably sponsored by the makers of Lipitor) says it doesn't help. How leeches could ever take enough blood to make a difference is puzzling, I reckon you'd have to cover one's body in them.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe long and short of it, give blood, it may save a life and may save yours as well (remember, negative studies don't mean much, it is hard to prove a negative).
I am a little underweight, however I donated blood from time to time. It is said to help your overall cardiovascular health. I have a record of good heart health to begin with anyway.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhy not just donate blood?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIncreased red blood cells , erythrocytosis , is considered by blood donor clinics to be a 'subcategory of Hemochromatosis' , iron excess .
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIncreased red blood cells , erythrocytosis is what used to be called plethora , too much blood , which at one time was treated simply by phlebotomy , venesection.
""Idiopathic anasarca" is what the ancient physicians called plethora, which was just too much blood, and which venesecton removed."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2302502/
Increased red blood cells is considered to be a marker for diabetes .
"Increased red blood cell count could be considered as a new aspect of the insulin resistance syndrome"
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11692171
I'd like to see the study results analyzed in terms of men vs. women, and elderly vs. young vs. middle-aged. Were all the participants men?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisDr. Robert Lustig has some ideas for treating metabolic syndrome. Details are at www.youtube.com/uctvprime in the "The Skinny On Obesity" video series and the video "Sugar: The Bitter Truth"
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