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The data on the prevalence of nutritional anemia among the urban elderly population in India was limited. Hence, the present study was carried out with an aim to assess the prevalence of nutritional anemia and its association with vitamin B12, folate, ferritin and homocystine among the urban elderly population. A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 282 urban elderly (C 60 years) subjects (186 males and 96 females) in Hyderabad. Fasting blood samples were collected and hemoglobin (Hb) was estimated by cyanmethemoglobin method. Plasma Folic acid and vitamin B12 levels were estimated by RIA and homocysteine and ferritin levels were estimated by ELISA methods. The overall prevalence of anemia (Hb \ 12 g/dL for females and \ 13 g/dL for males) among the urban elderly was 20.6% and the prevalence was found to be increasing with the age. The prevalence of vitamin B12 (\ 203 pg/mL), folic acid (\ 4 ng/mL), ferritin (\ 15 ng/mL) and hyperhomocysteinemia (C 12 lmol/L) in these subjects was 36.0%, 8.2%, 1.1% and 24.3% respectively. The prevalence of anemia due to deficiencies of iron (ferritin \ 15 ng/mL), folate and vitamin B12 was 5.45%, 9.1% and 42.3% respectively. A significant association was observed between the prevalence of anemia with ferritin and hyperhomocysteinemia. In conclusion, the prevalence of anemia and nutritional anemia among the urban-based elderly was 20.6% and 56.85% respectively. The association of anemia with hyperhomocysteinemia needs further studies.

Introduction: An increase in Obesity and increased risk for chronic diseases has sparked global interest in less consumed traditional foods such as Quinoa and Amaranth. Amaranth grain is a pseudo-cereal with high quality gluten-free protein. It is consumed as a cereal, popped or in the form of a sweet preparation for religious fasting occasions in India. Animal studies suggest that amaranth seed consumption improves blood glucose and lipid profile. The present study was carried out in India with the objective of assessing the impact of amaranth grain consumption on fasting lipid profile and glucose concentration of hypercholesterolemic subjects. Materials and Methods: Nineteen subjects aged between 40-65yrs with hypercholestrolemia, fasting plasma cholesterol ≥ 200mg/dl were recruited. Informed consent was taken from the willing subjects, and popped amaranth grain 60g/day were provided for a period of eight weeks to replace regularly-consumed cereals in their diet. Before and after 8 weeks of amaranth grain consumption anthropometric parameters, fasting blood glucose and body composition by bio impedance method were measured. Results: No significant changes in weight and body composition were observed. However, plasma total and LDL-cholesterol and fasting plasma glucose concentrations showed significant increases after 8 weeks of amaranth grain consumption. Conclusion: Consumption of popped amaranth grain for 8 weeks in humans did not decrease blood lipid levels, however a small increase in female subjects was observed. The significance of this observation is not known.

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