8 SEPTEMBER 2007, Page 18

Blonde bombshell

Sir: Anna Blundy is justifiably outraged by the 'dumb blonde' imputation ('We blondes face prejudice', 25 August), but there is in fact a medical explanation at the heart of the prejudice. According to my neurologist, blue-eyed blondes have a genetic propensity to develop pernicious anaemia (PA), which is a physical inability to absorb Vitamin B12. The symptoms of PA include slowed thought processes and impaired memory. Apparent dumb blondes are not really dimwitted, they just have a vitamin deficiency, which is readily treatable. The syndrome is not restricted to women: male blonds are equally susceptible, even if (like me) they have little hair left.

Lance Dickson San Jose, California