Hematologists have expressed concerns over the misleading nature of advertisements that label certain medications as ‘blood tonics’. These senior healthcare professionals advocate against the use of such terminology, asserting that it lacks scientific credibility.

Experts from the University of Lagos have criticized the practice, denouncing it as a deceptive marketing strategy employed by manufacturers to spur sales of their products. They emphasize that many of these promotional claims are rife with inaccuracies.

Specialists in blood transfusion recommend that individuals experiencing fatigue seek medical evaluation to identify and address underlying causes before considering the use of so-called ‘blood tonics’, which may not be necessary for their condition.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a deficiency in iron can result in fatigue, breathlessness, reduced physical capacity, learning difficulties in both children and adults, and a heightened susceptibility to infections. Iron is essential for the production of red blood cells in the body.

“When the body doesn’t get enough iron, it can’t produce the number of normal red blood cells needed to keep one in good health. This condition is called iron deficiency (iron shortage) or iron deficiency anaemia”, it added.

The haematologists, having more than 30 years of experience, recently highlighted in exclusive interviews that the indiscriminate use of vitamin and mineral supplements, a number of which contain high levels of iron, can pose significant health risks, although supplements themselves are generally not harmful.

They emphasized the potential dangers of excess iron in the bloodstream, which could have adverse effects on the body and could even accelerate the aging process, leading to various associated health complications.

These experts emphasized the importance of seeking medical advice before taking any vitamin or mineral supplements, especially for individuals experiencing fatigue, in order to determine the underlying causes and receive appropriate treatment.

Professor Sulaimon Akanmu, an expert in Haematology and Transfusion Medicine at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, pointed out that conditions such as hemorrhage, reduced red blood cell lifespan, and bone marrow disorders are key factors contributing to anemia in individuals.

Furthermore, this consultant Haematologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital outlined various risk factors for anemia, including deficiencies in iron, vitamins, or minerals in one’s diet, blood loss from surgeries or injuries, and serious health conditions such as kidney disease, cancer, diabetes, and thyroid disorders.

He also highlighted that iron deficiency stands as the most prevalent cause of anemia worldwide, including in Nigeria. Regarding the term ‘blood tonic,’ the haematologist explained why its usage should be discouraged.

The haematologist stated, “I don’t know what blood tonic means when people say blood tonic. In my mind, I am assuming that they are referring to some vitamins and minerals like iron, copper, zinc, manganese, and vitamin B3 that may be required for blood formation or the formation of red blood cells. I assume that that is what they mean.

“If that is what they mean by blood tonic, it is only prescribed and required when you are deficient in those vitamins or you lack some minerals like iron, manganese, and zinc in your blood.

“But the truth of the matter is that most adverts that you see out there talking about blood tonic are largely misinforming the public. It is true that if you are deficient in some vitamins and some minerals like iron you become anaemic. No doubt about that and what you need to take is those vitamins or minerals that you like or are deficient in.”

Akanmu emphasized that while fatigue could stem from a lack of blood, it could also be attributed to underlying health conditions like illnesses and infections. He highlighted the importance of identifying and resolving the root cause of blood loss before considering the intake of vitamins and mineral supplements to support the production of blood in the body.

“As far as I am concerned, there is nothing like blood tonic. But I can tell you that it is not blood tonic that those medications should be called. You will get a prescription for the vitamins that we know you lack or the mineral element that we know you lack and then you get treatment.

“So, blood tonic is a blanket statement that allows for people who don’t need extra of those vitamins and minerals to go and buy it. People just want to make money out of it. So, I think most of the time, it’s misinformation”, he said.

Delving into the potential reasons for fatigue and anemia, the professor remarked,
the professor said, “It’s true that if you are tired, it might be due to a shortage of blood. But a thousand and one other things can also cause tiredness.

“If you have overworked yourself, you will naturally become tired. If you have an infection like malaria, you will be tired. And of course, if you have a significant illness like kidney disease, liver disease, or diseases of the lungs, you will become tired.

“A lot of diseases actually manifest as tiredness but to lump everything together and say it is a blood shortage, and then you go to take blood tonic is misinformation and we have to be very careful.”

The haematologist further stated, “So, I am afraid when people say blood tonic but I usually ask them what they mean; how is it toning your blood?

“So, I think they are just trading gimmicks and I believe the use of the word ‘blood tonic’ should be discouraged. There is nothing like blood tonic in medicine as far as I am concerned. If the symptoms you have is tiredness and we investigate to find out there is a shortage of blood, the next thing is to find out what is causing the shortage of blood.”

Akanmu determined that while multivitamins are beneficial for enzyme function, the belief that they act as a blood tonic is inaccurate as they do not actually increase blood levels.

Prof Edamisan Temiye, a Consultant Paediatric Haematologist and Oncologist at LUTH, supported this viewpoint by stating that there is no such thing as a blood tonic.

The haematologist Stated, “We don’t prescribe blood tonic to anybody. There is nothing like that and it can be dangerous at times.

“If you have a shortage of blood, you must find out the cause and have it treated. It can be caused by malaria because malaria lowers blood levels. But it can be dangerous for somebody who has cancer. No doctor that knows what he is doing will prescribe blood tonic for you. “