MEGA We Care BiO-LiFE IRON FEAST Day Raises Awareness on Iron Deficiency Anemia

I’ve learned so much about iron deficiency at MEGA We Care IRON FEAST DAY last week. Organized by Mega Lifesciences, it was an education based food event aimed to raise awareness on iron deficiency anemia symptoms with a call to action before it descends into anemia. Mega Lifesciences is one of the leading pharmaceutical and nutraceutical companies which is headquartered in Bangkok and a proponent of “Prevention is The Best Medicine”.

MEGA We Care IRON FEAST Day Raises Awareness on Iron Deficiency Anemia

But first, let’s learn what are the symptoms of iron deficiency. We can be experiencing them and yet have no idea that these are pointing towards iron deficiency.

Symptoms of iron deficiency

• Brittle nails
• Cold hands and feet
• Constantly tired
• Weak or pale
• Chest pain
• Fast heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Constant bouts of headaches and dizzy

The MEGA We Care IRON FEAST DAY event was made fun and interactive with a cooking demonstration by popular Chef Sara Khong and a delectable iron rich feast.

A popular author of 4 cookbooks, recipe developer, food writer and stylist, Chef Sara Khong demonstrated 3 easy-to-prepare healthy breakfast recipes comprising an iron rich beverage, main and dessert. She also shared her personal experience regarding the perils of being iron deficient, adding on to our learning. I’m sharing one of my favorite recipes here:

Print Pin

Sardine Peratal (Dry Sardine Curry)

Sardine Peratal (Dry Sardine Curry) by Chef Sara Khong that can increase iron level in the body.

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 2 people

Calories 40kcal

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp Cooking Oil
• 2 stalks Curry Leaves
• 2 Red Onion Sliced
• 1 Red Chili Deseeded and sliced
• 1 can Sardine 425g in tomato sauce
• 2 tsp Chili Powder Optional

Instructions

• Heat 2 tbsp of oil over medium fire. Fry onions, chili, and curry leaves until onions turn golden brown.
• Pour in sardine along with its sauce. Mash with spatula and cook until sauce boils.
• Add chili powder. Mix well and cook until dry.
• Dish out. Spread on bread or serve with rice.

At the same time, the unveiling of MEGA We Care’s new iron supplement, Ferrovit and nutrients for pregnancy care, Fenza was officiated by Mr. Balaji Rajagopal, General Manager Malaysia & Singapore of Mega Lifesciences Sdn. Bhd.

Speaking at the event, Consultant at Mega Lifesciences Sdn. Bhd.’s, Pn Ernie Syafika binti Zamri said, “Women are especially susceptible to iron deficiency as opposed to men. The reason being, women starting from their teens, lose blood each month during their menstrual cycle attributing to one of the most common reasons women are likely to suffer from anemia¹. If their iron source is not replenished through diet or by other means, they may suffer from Iron Deficiency Anemia or IDA. IDA is a common type of anemia that happens when the body does not have enough iron to generate red blood cells. Most women don’t realize the iron deficiency symptoms or its consequence to their health or even address their condition thus affecting their well-being.”

IDA can also be attributed to a lack of iron in your diet, body’s inability to absorb iron or it produces red blood cells too slowly (due to viral infection, radiotherapy), blood loss during injury or surgery, internal bleeding or pregnancy. “Adequate iron intake among pregnant women and lactating mothers is important to provide nutrients from breast milk to baby and to maintain their good health thereafter,” added Puan Ernie Syafika.

Ferrovit

Ferrovit, a 3 in 1 iron supplement for patients with anemia or pregnant women with anemic symptoms, is in softgel capsule form in a blister pack of 50s². Each vanilla flavored softgel contains iron as Ferrous Fumerate, Folic Acid and Vitamin B12². The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended Ferrous Fumarate offers a high % of elemental iron at 33% or 330mg/g^{3 , 4}. The non-metallic, easy to swallow Ferrovit recommended dosage is one capsule twice daily after meals or as directed by a physician². Ferrovit is best taken without milk, coffee and tea².

Fenza

Fenza, comprises of 19 vitamins and mineral supplements for pregnant (pre-natal nutrient) and lactating mothers (postnatal nutrient) for healthy mums and babies; also comes in softgel capsules in a blister pack of 30s⁵. Each softgel capsule contains Ferrous Fumarate, Beta-carotene, Vitamins E, D3, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Pantothenic acid, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Iodine, Copper, Biotin, Tuna Oil and DHA⁵. The recommended dosage for mums is one capsule once daily with a meal or as directed by a doctor or pharmacist⁵.

Both Ferrovit and Fenza are available at all leading pharmacies nationwide including Caring, Guardian and other local pharmacies. Ferrovit retails at RM 20 per pack of 50 capsules whilst Fenza retails at RM 48 per pack of 30 capsules respectively.

For more information, kindly visit these websites: Ferrovit – Get BiO-LiFE Ferrovit

References

¹ Women’s Health Care Physicians. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Heavy-Menstrual-Bleeding
² Ferrovit Product Indication 4 C. Brugnara. IRON 2009_CAPTURE: 21. 512-529 5 G.Suraj et al. J.K Science. October-December 2001.3 (4): 160-165 6 Fenza Product Indication
³ C. Brugnara. IRON 2009_CAPTURE: 21. 512-529
⁴ G.Suraj et al. J.K Science. October-December 2001.3 (4): 160-165
⁵ Fenza Product Indication

KKLIU NO: 1388/2019