Study finds high prevalence of iron deficiency in US
Iron could be the hidden nutritional deficiency with significant health impacts.
Looks like more Americans should be pumping iron. According to research from Brigham and Women’s Hospital published in JAMA Network Open more than 1 in 6 Americans may have poor iron status. The study reports that 14% of Americans have absolute iron deficiency —defined as a serious reduction or absence of the body’s iron stores— and 15% have functional iron deficiency, where the body has enough iron stores but struggles to use it. Of the more than 8,000 adults involved in the investigation, women ages 18 to 50 were found to be the most affected group – 34 percent had absolute and 19 percent functional iron deficiency. Just 3 percent and 13 percent of men under 50 were likely to have absolute and functional iron deficiency, respectively. Iron deficiency is associated with anemia, defined as low hemoglobin and decreased red blood cells. Anemia can lead to feelings of tiredness and weakness, shortness of breath, confusion, heart failure, irregular heartbeats, and even death if left untreated for a long period. The scientists in this study found, however, that even among adults without anemia, heart conditions, chronic kidney disease and current pregnancy—all associated with increased chances for iron deficiency—the prevalence of absolute iron deficiency was 11 percent, and functional was 15 percent. Iron deficiency without anemia can still lead to problems like decreased physical capacity and heart failure. Surprisingly, the study did not find significant links between iron deficiency and factors like alcohol intake, food security, or dietary iron. However, people who were overweight or obese were more likely to have functional iron deficiency, suggesting that higher body fat levels impact how iron is used in the body. Subsequent research needs to determine the various reasons for the iron shortcomings and also methods for overcoming this such as improved population-wide testing.
[m1]https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2823909
References
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2823909
Matthew Kadey, MS, RD
Matthew Kadey, MS, RD, is a James Beard Award–winning food journalist, dietitian and author of the cookbook Rocket Fuel: Power-Packed Food for Sport + Adventure (VeloPress 2016). He has written for dozens of magazines, including Runner’s World, Men’s Health, Shape, Men’s Fitness and Muscle and Fitness.
