Iron Intake Levels Research Articles

Iron Deficiency Anemia among Sanitation Workers in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-sectional Study

ABSTRACT Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) has been the main cause of the health burden in India over the past decade. The aim of the present study was to examine the iron status and prevalence of iron deficiency anemia using biochemical markers among sanitation workers working at a tertiary healthcare center. Methodology: This hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 80 sanitation workers for a period of 18 months (age 31–40 years). Dietary intake patterns were collected through the structured questionnaires. Blood samples were analyzed for complete blood count, serum iron level and unsaturated iron binding capacity, and ferritin. Total iron binding capacity and percentage transferrin saturation were calculated. Stool samples were screened for intestinal helminthic ova and cysts of intestinal protozoa. Results: Of the 80 sanitation workers, IDA was found in 38.7%; out of this, mild anemia was found in 16 (20%) participants, while 11.3% and 7.5% participants had moderate and severe anemia, respectively. Higher plasma sTfR levels were observed in women with severe iron depletion than in those with iron sufficiency (median 17.6 versus 15.5 nmol/L; P = 0.001). A statistically significant positive correlation between hemoglobin and serum iron, serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation was found. Hemoglobin was positively correlated with white blood cells, red blood cells, hematocrit, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin. Conclusion: This study highlights the presence of mild IDA among sanitary workers and lower levels of iron intake than the recommended dietary allowance.

KEBIASAAN KONSUMSI KOPI DAN TINGKAT KECUKUPAN ZAT BESI DENGAN ANEMIA PADA REMAJA PUTRI

Anemia is a nutritional deficiency problem that is prone to be experienced by adolescent girls. Anemia can be influenced by iron intake from food sources and other factors such as coffee consumption habits. The aim of this research was to analyze the relationship between coffee consumption habits and iron sufficiency levels with anemia in adolescent girls at SMAN 1 Manyar Gresik. The research method used was observational with a cross-sectional design. The total population consisted of 487 female students from grades X and XI at SMAN 1 Manyar Gresik. The sample size was 78 individuals selected using proportional random sampling technique. Data on iron sufficiency levels and coffee consumption habits were obtained from filling out the SQ-FFQ questionnaire. Respondents' anemia status data were obtained by measuring hemoglobin levels using a hemoglobinometer (easy touch). Data analysis was conducted using the Chi-square test. This study showed that 23% of respondents had anemia and the results of statistical tests indicated that there was a relationship between the time of coffee consumption (p= 0.005) and the level of iron intake (p=0.003) with anemia. The research concluded that sufficient iron intake and consumption of coffee more than 2 hours before/after meals will reduce the risk of anemia. Therefore, respondents are advised to pay attention to the timing of coffee consumption to avoid inhibiting iron absorption.

Description of Iron, Protein Intake, Compliance with Government Activity Blood Supplement Tablets Consumption and Consumption Patterns of Iron Inhibitors in Adolescent Girls at Public High School 1 Barat Magetan District

Anemia is common in developing countries such as Indonesia. Government prevention efforts to overcome iron deficiency are by giving Blood Addition Tablets and also improving diet. Identify the intake of protein iron consumption, compliance consumption of government activity blood supplement tablets and consumption patterns of iron inhibitors in SMA Negeri 1 Barat Magetan District. This research is a descriptive study. Data collection by interview with a questionnaire instrument compliance consumption of blood supplement tablets and food intake interview with SQ-FFQ questionnaire. The number of respondents was 58 students with proportional random sampling technique. The percentage of students who did not consume blood supplement tablets (67.2%). The level of iron intake was deficient (62.1%), students consumed tannin very often (25.9%), consumption of phytic acid often (48.3%), and the level of protein intake was severely deficient (79.3%). Most students did not consume the given blood supplement tablets. Most students had iron deficiency and protein intake levels that were severely deficient. The students also had a frequent category in consuming phytic acid and also had a frequent category in consuming phytic acid. Schools are advised to hold counseling on anemia and balanced nutrition, and blood supplement tablets supplementation activities.

Impact of a 6-week dietary and lifestyle modification intervention on food cravings and eating behaviors in women.

Introduction: the multifaceted nature of food craving mirrors the complexity underlying the development of eating disorders. Objectives: the study aimed to investigate the impact of a 6-week dietary and lifestyle intervention on food cravings, eating behaviors, and changes in physical and biochemical measures among women. Methods: this study constitutes a behavior modification investigation involving a cohort of 35 female participants who sought consultation at a private nutrition counseling facility. At first, anthropometric and biochemical data were recorded; Information Form, Food Craving Questionnaire-Trait Scale (FCQ-T), Three-Factor Eating Scale (TFEQ-R21) were applied and 3-Day Food Consumption Records were taken. After 6 weeks of dietitian follow-up, the data collection tools were repeated and the individuals were compared with the baseline. Results: after 6-week follow-up, according to the examination of the food consumption records, differences in daily energy, fat, monounsaturated fatty acid, fibre, vitamin E, potassium, magnesium, iron intake levels were found significant (p < 0.05). Differences in body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist/height ratio, fat mass, fat ratio and fasting glucose, HbA1c, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, AST, TSH, free T3, free T4 levels were found significant (p < 0.05). According to the FCQ-T evaluation; differences in total and nine sub-dimension scores of the scale were found significant (p < 0.001). According to the TFEQ-R21 evaluation; differences in cognitive restraint, emotional eating and uncontrolled eating scores were found significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions: a successful 6-week dietary and lifestyle intervention with improvement in anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters is effective in reducing food cravings and regulating eating behaviours.

Fish-Based Complementary Feeding Practices Increasing Macro and Micro Nutrient Intake And Hemoglobin Levels in Anemia Toddlers

Iron deficiency anemia in toddlers can be prevented by introducing complementary foods alongside breastfeeding. Fish, rich in protein and iron, offers a valuable nutritional source for young children, but proper processing is crucial. This research investigated the impact of fish-based complementary food processing practices (known as MP-ASI in Indonesia) on the nutritional intake and hemoglobin levels of children under five in Tiro District, Pidie Regency. Using a quasi-experimental design, this study involved 40 toddlers from the stunting-prone area of Tiro District, Pidie Regency, along with their mothers as respondents. The toddlers, aged 12-36 months without severe illnesses, were included in the study. The intervention comprised educating and practicing complementary food processing. Before-and-after intervention comparisons showed significant improvements in energy, carbohydrate, protein, zinc, and iron intake levels. Additionally, there was a notable increase in the average hemoglobin (Hb) level, rising by 1.06 g/dl after one month of fish-based complementary food processing intervention. In summary, this intervention effectively enhanced the nutritional quality of children's intake and increased their hemoglobin levels, contributing to the prevention of iron deficiency anemia in toddlers.

Dietary iron intake and its impact on osteopenia/osteoporosis

BackgroundOsteoporosis is a prevalent condition characterized by low bone density and increased risk of fractures, resulting in a significant healthcare burden. Previous research has suggested that serum ferritin levels may be related to the risk of developing osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dietary iron intake and the development of osteoporosis.MethodsUsing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2005 and 2018, a total of 11,690 adults aged over 20 were evaluated. Bone mineral density (BMD) measurements of the femoral neck and lumbar spine were used to assess osteoporosis and osteopenia. Dietary iron intake was determined using food intake interviews and the Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies. Logistic regression models were applied to investigate the association between dietary iron consumption and osteopenia and osteoporosis.ResultsAfter adjusting for sociodemographic factors, compared with those who had the first quartile (Q1) of dietary iron intake, the odds ratio (OR) for osteopenia across the quartiles of dietary iron intake levels was 0.88 (95%CI: 0.79–0.98), 0.80 (95%CI: 0.72–0.89), and 0.74 (95%CI: 0.67–0.83) for Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively. And the OR for osteoporosis across the quartiles of dietary iron intake levels was 1.00, 0.77 (95%CI: 0.50–1.19), 0.54 (95%CI: 0.34–0.89), and 0.83 (95%CI: 0.54–1.29) for Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively. Notably, the observed association was significant among females but not males.ConclusionThe risk of osteopenia/osteoporosis in females decreases with a moderate increase in dietary iron consumption. For females to preserve bone health, moderately increasing their dietary iron intake without overindulging should be seen as a key approach. Our study provides useful insights for developing dietary strategies to prevent and manage osteoporosis in vulnerable populations.

Bioavailability of iron and its potential to improve the immune system and ward off COVID-19: a review

Iron is a mineral that plays an important role, especially to prevent anaemia through the production of red blood cells. Iron also plays a role in physiological processes, such as the activation of enzymes and hormones, as well as increasing the immune system in warding off various viral infections. Therefore, iron bioavailability needs to be considered to take the greatest benefit of iron. This review discussed the factors that can affect the bioavailability of iron, various technologies to increase the bioavailability, and its potential in enhancing the immune system. Iron bioavailability can be increased by fortification, fermentation, the addition of vitamin C, and iron encapsulation. Under conditions of adequate iron intake, iron plays an important role in enhancing the immune system through controlling lymphocytes and T cell proliferation. However, excess iron consumption can be at risk of weakening the host's immune response to viruses. Therefore, the appropriate level of iron intake must be maintained accurately to be used optimally and has the potential to ward off viral infections, including the Sars-CoV-2 virus as the cause of COVID-19.

Could Dietary Goals and Climate Change Mitigation Be Achieved Through Optimized Diet? The Experience of Modeling the National Food Consumption Data in Italy.

Objective: The aim of this study is to define a healthy and sustainable diet model with low GHGE, fulfilling dietary requirements, and considering current Italian food consumption patterns.Design: A duly designed database was developed, linking food nutritional composition and GHGE based on 921 food items consumed in Italy according to the last national food consumption survey (INRAN-SCAI 2005–2006). Linear programming was used to develop new diet plans separately for males and females, aged 18–60 years (n = 2,098 subjects), in order to minimize GHGE. The program is based on dietary goals and acceptability constraints as well as on 13 nutrient requirement constraints aiming to reach a healthy and acceptable diet for the Italian population.Results: Diet optimization resulted in a nutritionally adequate pattern minimizing GHGE values (4.0 vs. 1.9 kg CO2e/day for males and 3.2 vs. 1.6 kg CO2e/day for females). In both sexes, the nutrient intake of the optimized diet was at the established lower bound for cholesterol and calcium and at the established upper bound for free sugar and fiber. In males, intake of zinc was at the established lower bound whereas iron was at the established upper bound. Consumption of red meat and fruit and vegetables was at the established lower and upper bound, respectively, in both males and females. Despite the decrease in meat consumption, especially red meat, in the optimized diet with respect to the observed diet, levels of iron intake in females increased by 10% (10.3 vs. 11.3 mg/day) but remained below the adequate intake established in Italian national DRIs.Conclusions: An attainable healthy dietary pattern was developed that would lead to the reduction of GHGE by 48% for males and by 50% for females with respect to current food consumption in the Italian adult population. Health-promoting dietary patterns can substantially contribute to achieve related Sustainable Development Goals.

Dietary Factors Moderate the Relation between Groundwater Iron and Anemia in Women and Children in Rural Bangladesh

ABSTRACTBackgroundAnemia affects ∼1.6 billion people worldwide, often owing to iron deficiency. In Bangladesh, high levels of anemia have been observed alongside little iron deficiency. Elevated concentrations of groundwater iron could constitute a significant source of dietary iron.ObjectiveWe aimed to quantify the effect of groundwater iron on anemia in nonpregnant women and young children in Bangladesh, taking into account dietary factors that may affect iron absorption.MethodsWe analyzed data on 1871 nonpregnant women and 987 children (6–37 mo) from the 2015 baseline survey of the Food and Agricultural Approaches to Reducing Malnutrition cluster-randomized trial in Sylhet, Bangladesh. We used logistic regression with robust standard errors to assess effects of self-reported groundwater iron, dietary intake, and sociodemographic characteristics on anemia, considering interactions between groundwater iron and dietary factors.ResultsGroundwater iron presence was associated with less anemia in women (OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.60, 0.90) and children (OR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.44, 0.76). This effect was modified by dietary factors. In women, the effect of groundwater iron on anemia was stronger if no vitamin C–rich or heme-iron foods were consumed, and there was a clear dose–response relation. In children, intake of vitamin C–rich foods strengthened the effect of groundwater iron on anemia, and there was no evidence for interaction by intake of iron-rich foods.ConclusionsHeme-iron and vitamin C consumption reduced the effect of groundwater iron on anemia among women but not children in Bangladesh, which may be due to higher levels of iron deficiency and lower levels of iron intake among children. Vitamin C consumption appears to enhance iron absorption from groundwater in children and they may thus benefit from consuming more vitamin C–rich fruits and vegetables. Even among women and children consuming heme-iron or vitamin C–rich foods and groundwater iron, anemia prevalence remained elevated, pointing to additional causes of anemia beyond iron deficiency.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02505711.

Impact of high iron intake on cognition and neurodegeneration in humans and in animal models: a systematic review.

ContextAccumulation of brain iron is linked to aging and protein-misfolding neurodegenerative diseases. High iron intake may influence important brain health outcomes in later life.ObjectiveThe aim of this systematic review was to examine evidence from animal and human studies of the effects of high iron intake or peripheral iron status on adult cognition, brain aging, and neurodegeneration.Data SourcesMEDLINE, Scopus, CAB s, the Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials, and OpenGrey databases were searched.Study SelectionStudies investigating the effect of elevated iron intake at all postnatal life stages in mammalian models and humans on measures of adult brain health were included.Data ExtractionData were extracted and evaluated by two authors independently, with discrepancies resolved by discussion. Neurodegenerative disease diagnosis and/or behavioral/cognitive, biochemical, and brain morphologic findings were used to study the effects of iron intake or peripheral iron status on brain health. Risk of bias was assessed for animal and human studies. PRISMA guidelines for reporting systematic reviews were followed.ResultsThirty-four preclinical and 14 clinical studies were identified from database searches. Thirty-three preclinical studies provided evidence supporting an adverse effect of nutritionally relevant high iron intake in neonates on brain-health-related outcomes in adults. Human studies varied considerably in design, quality, and findings; none investigated the effects of high iron intake in neonates/infants.ConclusionsHuman studies are needed to verify whether dietary iron intake levels used in neonates/infants to prevent iron deficiency have effects on brain aging and neurodegenerative disease outcomes.

Iron Intake and Hemoglobin Levels in Stunting in Adolescent

Background : Growth problem, such as stunting is still a major issue in the world. The prevalence of stunting in Indonesia increases throughout the years. Chronic undernutrition in adolescent with stunting, low socioeconomic, and education levels in a family can contribute to low iron intake. Low iron intake leads to low hemoglobin level. This study aimed to compare iron intake and hemoglobin level between stunting and non-stunting adolescent. Methods : This study was conducted to 59 respondents aged 11–14 years old from a Junior High School in Jatinangor, West Java from September to October 2014. Those respondents were divided into two groups: stunting and non-stunting group. This study was an analytic comparative study using cross-sectional method. Data were collected through body height measurement, hemoglobin level examination, and interviews of iron-containing food intake. The collected data were analyzed using t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results : Twenty eight of 59 subjects were stunting and 31 were normal. The mean of hemoglobin level was 12.95 (0.95) in stunting adolescent and 13.66 (1.35) in non-stunting adolescent. The mean iron intake was 23.9 (24.39) mg/day in stunting adolescent and 23 (22.6) mg/day in non-stunting adolescent. There was a difference of hemoglobin between those groups, but not in iron intake. Conclusions : Stunting adolescent has lower hemoglobin levels compared to non-stunting adolescent. There is no difference of iron intake levels between stunting and non-stunting adolescent. [AMJ.2016;3(2):175–80] DOI: 10.15850/amj.v3n2.782

Neonatal Iron Supplementation Induces Striatal Atrophy in Female YAC128 Huntington's Disease Mice.

Background: Dysregulation of iron homeostasis is implicated in the pathogenesis of Huntington’s disease. We have previously shown that increased iron intake in R6/2 HD neonatal mice, but not adult R6/2 HD mice potentiates disease outcomes at 12-weeks of age corresponding to advanced HD [Redox Biol. 2015;4 : 363–74]. However, whether these findings extend to other HD models is unknown. In particular, it is unclear if increased neonatal iron intake can promote neurodegeneration in mouse HD models where disease onset is delayed to mid-adult life.Objective: To determine if increased dietary iron intake in neonatal and adult life-stages potentiates HD in the slowly progressive YAC128 HD mouse model.Methods: Female neonatal mice were supplemented daily from days 10–17 with 120μg/g body weight of carbonyl iron. Adult mice were provided diets containing low (50 ppm), medium (150 ppm) and high (500 ppm) iron concentrations from 2-months of age. HD progression was determined using behavioral, brain morphometric and biochemical approaches.Results: Neonatal-iron supplemented YAC128 HD mice had significantly lower striatal volumes and striatal neuronal cell body volumes as compared to control HD mice at 1-year of age. Neonatal-iron supplementation of HD mice had no effect on rota-rod motor endurance and brain iron or glutathione status. Adult iron intake level had no effect on HD progression. YAC128 HD mice had altered peripheral responses to iron intake compared to iron-matched wild-type controls.Conclusions: Female YAC128 HD mice supplemented with nutritionally-relevant levels of iron as neonates demonstrate increased striatal degeneration 1-year later.

Neonatal iron supplementation potentiates oxidative stress, energetic dysfunction and neurodegeneration in the R6/2 mouse model of Huntington's disease

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion that encodes a polyglutamine tract in huntingtin (htt) protein. Dysregulation of brain iron homeostasis, oxidative stress and neurodegeneration are consistent features of the HD phenotype. Therefore, environmental factors that exacerbate oxidative stress and iron dysregulation may potentiate HD. Iron supplementation in the human population is common during infant and adult-life stages. In this study, iron supplementation in neonatal HD mice resulted in deterioration of spontaneous motor running activity, elevated levels of brain lactate and oxidized glutathione consistent with increased energetic dysfunction and oxidative stress, and increased striatal and motor cortical neuronal atrophy, collectively demonstrating potentiation of the disease phenotype. Oxidative stress, energetic, and anatomic markers of degeneration were not affected in wild-type littermate iron-supplemented mice. Further, there was no effect of elevated iron intake on disease outcomes in adult HD mice. We have demonstrated an interaction between the mutant huntingtin gene and iron supplementation in neonatal HD mice. Findings indicate that elevated neonatal iron intake potentiates mouse HD and promotes oxidative stress and energetic dysfunction in brain. Neonatal-infant dietary iron intake level may be an environmental modifier of human HD.

Maternal iron intake at mid-pregnancy is associated with reduced fetal growth: results from Mothers and Children’s Environmental Health (MOCEH) study

BackgroundIron supplementation is a common recommendation for pregnant women to prevent iron deficiency during pregnancy. There is an increasing concern about excessive iron consumption as a general iron prophylaxis by pregnant women without any due consideration about their dietary iron intake or iron status. Our present study investigated the association between total iron intake from diet and supplements and fetal growth in 337 pregnant women at mid-pregnancy in South Korea.MethodsIron intake from diet and supplements was examined by a 24-hour recall method. Subjects were divided into three groups based on tertiles of total iron intake levels. Fetal biometry was assessed by ultrasonography at mid-pregnancy.ResultsAbout 99% of the non-supplement users had iron intake below the recommended nutrient intake (RNI) for pregnant women (24 mg), whereas 64.9% of supplement users had iron intake above the upper level (UL) (45 mg). In the babies of mothers in the third tertile of iron intake (>17.04 mg), biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference, and femur length were lower by 0.41 cm (P =0.019), 0.41 cm (P = 0.027), and 0.07 cm (P = 0.051), respectively, than the babies of mothers in the second tertile of iron intake (11.49 ~ 17.04 mg).ConclusionThese results suggest that excessive maternal iron intake at mid-pregnancy is associated with reduced fetal growth. Iron supplementation for pregnant women should be individualized according to their iron status. Appropriate diet education is needed for pregnant women so that they can consume adequate amounts of iron from food and supplements.

Iron administration reduces airway hyperreactivity and eosinophilia in a mouse model of allergic asthma

The prevalence of allergic diseases has increased dramatically during the last four decades and is paralleled by a striking increase in iron intake by infants in affluent societies. Several studies have suggested a link between increased iron intake and the marked increase in prevalence of allergic diseases. We hypothesized that the increased iron intake by infants offers an explanation for the increased prevalence of allergic disease in industrialized societies during the past four decades. A well-established mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-driven allergic asthma was used to test the effects of differences in iron intake and systemic iron levels on the manifestations of allergic asthma. Surprisingly, iron supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in airway eosinophilia, while systemic iron injections lead to a significant suppression of both allergen-induced airway eosinophilia and hyperreactivity compared to placebo. In contrast, mice fed on an iron-deprived diet did not show any difference in developing experimentally induced allergic asthma when compared to those fed on an iron-sufficient control diet. In contrast to our hypothesis, airway manifestations of allergic asthma are suppressed by both increased levels of iron intake and systemic iron administrations in the mouse model.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Relation to Maternal Dietary Heme Iron and Nonheme Iron Intake

OBJECTIVEHigher heme iron intake is associated with increased type 2 diabetes risk. However, no previous study has evaluated gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk in relation to heme iron intake during pregnancy. We investigated associations of maternal preconceptional and early pregnancy heme and nonheme iron intake with subsequent GDM risk.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe conducted a prospective cohort study of 3,158 pregnant women. A food frequency questionnaire was used to assess maternal diet. Multivariable generalized linear regression models were used to derive estimates of relative risks (RRs) and 95% CIs.RESULTSApproximately 5.0% of the cohort developed GDM (n = 158). Heme iron intake was positively and significantly associated with GDM risk (Ptrend = 0.04). After adjusting for confounders, women reporting the highest heme iron intake levels (≥1.52 vs. <0.48 mg per day) experienced a 3.31-fold–increased GDM risk (95% CI 1.02–10.72). In fully adjusted models, we noted that a 1-mg per day increase in heme iron was associated with a 51% increased GDM risk (RR 1.51 [95% CI 0.99–2.36]). Nonheme iron was inversely, though not statistically significantly, associated with GDM risk, and the corresponding RRs were 1.00, 0.83, 0.62, and 0.61 across quartiles of nonheme iron intake (Ptrend = 0.08).CONCLUSIONSHigh levels of dietary heme iron intake during the preconceptional and early pregnancy period may be associated with increased GDM risk. Associations of GDM risk with dietary nonheme iron intake are less clear. Confirmation of these findings by future studies is warranted.

Effects of Iron Overload during Pregnancy on Oxidative Stress in Maternal Rats

Although iron is an essential mineral, excess iron intake during pregnancy may increase oxidative stress in tissues. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of iron overload during pregnancy on iron status and oxidative stress in maternal rats. Ten week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were mated with male rats. Non-pregnant (control) and pregnant rats were fed diets containing normal Fe (35 mg/kg diet), high Fe (350 mg/kg diet), or excess Fe (1,050 mg/kg diet) during pregnancy. Rats were sacrificed on pregnancy day 19. No significant difference in weight gain, diet intake, or litter size was observed according to iron intake levels. Furthermore, serum iron, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were not different among the rats administered the three levels of Fe both in the control and pregnant groups. However, the iron levels were lower in pregnant rats than those in the control. The liver and spleen iron contents increased significantly in the excess Fe group. An increase in liver ferritin levels with increasing iron intake was observed. Protein carbonyl content, as a marker of oxidative stress, increased significantly in liver with increasing iron intake but not malondialdehyde. Glutathione peroxidase activity in the liver of pregnant rats fed excess iron decreased significantly. Bcl-2 protein expression in the liver declined remarkably with increasing maternal iron intake in pregnant rats. Taken together, iron overload during pregnancy had little effect on hematology. However, the deposits of iron in the liver and the decline in antioxidant enzyme activity implied increased oxidative stress in tissues of the excess Fe group. These results suggest that excess iron intake during pregnancy increases oxidative stress in maternal tissues and may also affect fetal tissues. (Korean J Nutr 2011; 44 (1): 5 ~ 15 )

Iron intake, oxidative stress-related genes ( MnSOD and MPO ) and prostate cancer risk in CARET cohort

Iron overload may increase prostate cancer risk through stimulation of oxidative stress, and endogenous pro- and antioxidant capabilities, i.e. manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), may modify these associations. We investigated this hypothesis in the Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial cohort in a nested case-control study. Although there was no association between iron intake and risk overall, there was a suggestion of increased risk of clinically aggressive prostate cancer with higher iron intake [odds ratio (OR) = 1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.9-2.0]. Associations were most notable for men with aggressive prostate cancer who were below the median consumption of total fruits and vegetables (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.1-3.2). Associations between MPO -463 G to A genotype (rs2333227) and prostate cancer risk were only noted among men with aggressive cancer, with more than a 2-fold risk reduction among men with AA genotypes (OR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.2-1.0); MnSOD was not associated with risk overall, but the MnSOD T to C (Val-9Ala, rs4880) polymorphism modified associations between risk of clinically aggressive prostate cancer and dietary iron intake (P for interaction = 0.02). Among aggressive cancer cases with the TT genotype, higher iron intake level was associated with >2-fold increase in risk (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.0-4.9), whereas there was no association among men with CC genotypes (OR = 0.9, 95% CI = 0.4-2.3). Although interactions were not significant, there were similar patterns for MPO genotype, iron intake and risk. These findings suggest that higher iron intake may be associated with risk of clinically aggressive prostate cancer, and that endogenous antioxidant capabilities may modify these associations.

Dietary Iron Is Associated with Bone Mineral Density in Healthy Postmenopausal Women

Healthy nonsmoking postmenopausal women (n = 242; ages 40-66 y) were included in the Bone, Estrogen, and Strength Training (BEST) Study. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at five sites (lumbar spine L2-L4, trochanter, femur neck, Ward's triangle and total body) using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Mean nutrient intakes were assessed using a 3-d diet record. Regression models were calculated using each BMD site as the dependent variable and iron as the independent variable. Covariates included in the models were years past menopause, fat-free mass, fat mass, use of hormone replacement therapy, total energy intake and dietary intake of protein and calcium. Using linear models, iron was associated with greater BMD at all sites (P < or = 0.01), even after adjusting for protein and/or calcium. Increasing levels of iron intake (>20 mg) were associated with greater BMD at several bone sites among women with a mean calcium intake of 800-1200 mg/d. Elevated iron intake was not associated with greater BMD among women with higher (>1200 mg/d) or lower calcium intakes (<800 mg/d). Dietary iron may be a more important factor in bone mineralization than originally thought and, its combined effect with calcium on BMD warrants exploration in future studies.

Iron metabolism and requirements in early childhood: do we know enough?: a commentary by the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition.

*University of Lancashire, Lancashire, United Kingdom; †University of Milano, Milano, Italy; ‡University of Lund, Malmo, Sweden; §Hopital des Enfants Malades, Paris, France; Hopital Necker Enfants-Malades, Paris, France, ¶Umea University, Umea, Sweden; #University of Munich, Munich, Germany; **Free University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; ††Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg, Denmark; ‡‡CHUV University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland; §§University of Liege, Liege, Belgium; Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; and ¶¶University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom