27 July 2012
According to a new study, daily iron supplementation should be considered for iron-deficient women with unexplained fatigue.
The randomized controlled trial included 198 non- anemic women aged 18–53 who had complained of fatigue and who had ferritin levels of less than 50 ug/L and hemoglobin levels greater than 12.0 g/dL. The women were assigned to receive either oral ferrous sulfate (80 mg of elemental iron daily) or a placebo for 12 weeks (1). The study results showed that iron supplementation was associated with a 48% decrease in fatigue scores compared to a 29% decrease in the placebo group. Hemoglobin and ferritin levels significantly increased in the group receiving supplements. No significant effects on quality of life, depression or anxiety were detected.
The researchers commented that iron deficiency may be an under-recognized cause of fatigue in women of child-bearing age. If fatigue is not due to secondary causes, the identification of iron deficiency as a potential cause may prevent inappropriate attribution of symptoms to supposed emotional causes or life stressors. Unnecessary use of health care resources, including inappropriate pharmacological treatments, may there-fore be avoided.
6 July 2011
Women at high risk of developing melanoma who take supplements of vitamin D and calcium may be at a reduced risk of developing skin cancer, suggests new US study.
23 September 2016
Despite the widespread knowledge of vitamin C deficiency, there is considerable variation in recommendations that differ more than two-fold depending on the country issuing the nutrition advice. Is it time these recommendations are increased?
1 June 2010
The current focus of nutritional science has shifted from meeting needs to determining the biological effects that nutrition has on immediate and lifetime health.
