Effects of iron supplementation versus dietary iron on the nutritional iron status: Systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

This meta-analysis compared the effects of dietary intervention versus iron supplementation on biochemical parameters related to the iron nutritional status in humans. The PubMed, CENTRAL, LILACS, SCIELO, OPENGREY.EU and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched for randomized clinical trials that assigned individuals to a dietary intervention or to an iron supplementation regimen, for 12 weeks or more. The primary outcome was the hemoglobin concentration, and secondary outcomes were ferritin, RDW, mean corpuscular volume, soluble transferrin receptor, total iron binding capacity, serum iron, and transferrin saturation. From the 6095 records identified, twelve studies were included, six with children, five with adolescents/adults, and one with pregnant women. In the subgroup of studies that included anemic/iron deficient children, supplementation significantly increased the hemoglobin concentration (weighted mean difference (WMD): 3.19 g/L [95% CI: 1.31, 5.07]) and induced a significantly greater reduction of the soluble transferrin receptor (WMD: -0.46 mg/L [95% CI: -0.70, -0, 21]), when compared to dietary intervention. It also induced a greater reduction of the total binding capacity of iron in adolescents/adults (WMD: -6.96 μmol/L [95% CI: -12.70, -1.21]). Supplementation showed a better effect on hemoglobin recovery in anemic/iron deficient children, while no differences were observed between supplementation and dietary intervention in treating adolescents/adults.

Characterization of Gut Microbiota Compositions along the Intestinal Tract in CD163/pAPN Double Knockout Piglets and Their Potential Roles in Iron Absorption

“…Neonatal piglets are susceptible to iron deficiency anemia mainly due to special physiological conditions, such as low levels of iron stores at birth, low iron concentration in porcine milk, heightened growth trajectories after birth, and immature iron absorption pathways ( 14 , 15 ). Supplementation of inorganic iron in piglets plays an important role in preventing iron deficiency anemia ( 16 ). Due to the lack of regulations associated with iron elements contained in feed ingredients, excessive iron supplementation can occur, which may cause intestinal inflammation and diarrhea in piglets ( 17 , 18 ).…”

Pulse Probiotic Superfood as Iron Status Improvement Agent in Active Women—A Review

“…Additionally, restoring the iron status of adolescents and adults with dietary intervention might give the same effect as consuming iron supplementation. A meta-analysis that compared the effects of dietary intervention and iron supplementation shows that no difference was observed in haemoglobin recovery between supplementation and dietary intervention in treating adolescents and adults [16].…”

A Carbamoyl Oxime-Based Highly Specific Fluorescent Chemodosimeter for Monitoring Labile Fe2+ in Food and Living Organisms

“…1−3 The human body primarily relies on dietary behavior for obtaining iron. 4 The presence of iron is essential for numerous vital biological processes, including oxygen transportation, cellular respiration, and the synthesis of DNA and RNA. 5,6 Dysregulation of iron homeostasis can lead to a range of diseases such as inflammation, cellular senescence, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, and cancer.…”