25 March 2013
According to a new US study, an insufficient iron status of the body can impair cognitive functions, such as planning ability, in college women.
In the observational study, 42 healthy, non-anemic undergraduate women at auniversity provided a blood sample for measuring iron status (serum ferritin concentration) and completed a standardized cognitive test consisting of one manual task (a measure of central executive function) and five computerized tasks (a test of mental rotation, simple reaction time, immediate word recall and two-finger tapping) (1). Women’s body iron status ranged from 4.2 to 8.1 mg/kg. The study results showed that participants with higher iron levels showed a better performance on central executive function (higher planning speed) while the computerized cognitive tasks was not affected by body iron level.
The researchers commented that these findings contribute new information on the degree of iron deficiency associated with negative neuropsychological effects in non- anemic women of reproductive age. College women experience iron depletion at a higher rate than the general population of pre-menopausal women; therefore, it is important to investigate the impact of low iron status on cognitive function in this subgroup in whom optimal cognition is critical to academic success. Evidence of the relationship between iron status and neuropsychological function in young women is beginning to accumulate (2, 3). However, studies to date in women have found significant relationships only when iron-deficiency anemia was present.
Iron deficiency affects individuals of all ages and socio-economic classes but to a larger extent infants, children and women of reproductive age. The WHO estimates that anemia, the most severe form of iron deficiency, affects 30% of women of reproductive age. Iron-deficiency anemia has been observed in 16–18% of female university undergraduate students (4, 5). This population is of particular concern considering the cognitive demands of higher education. Iron deficiency manifests as alterations in cognitive function, behavior and mood (6).
15 September 2011
Micronutrient needs are ideally met by consuming foods that provide a well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet. However, many individuals have diets that are low in one or more micronutrients.
1 April 2012
Chronic, low-grade, tissue inflammation is a significant risk factor in the development of a variety of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and auto-immune diseases. Moreover, many discomforts, such as chronic pain, memory problems, mood swings, and general muscle fatigue, can be connected in some way to an underlying inflammatory condition. An important development in nutritional science in recent years has been the discovery of anti-inflammatory properties of certain micronutrients and their potential to prevent or treat certain diseases or conditions.
8 August 2016
Recent headlines have warned women that vitamin supplements in pregnancy are a “pointless waste of money,” seemingly discouraging micronutrient supplementation at this crucial time. Check the story behind the headlines.
