Iron Deficiency a Risk

Iron deficiency is a risk for many women of reproductive age; and in particular a risk for female athletes due to diets deficient in iron, increased iron losses, and reduced absorption of iron from subclinical inflammation, according to the authors of a recently published meta-analysis.

The study analysed 22 randomised controlled trials and was published in the Journal of Nutrition, finding that iron supplements were associated with increases in oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and a lower heart rate at both maximal and sub-maximal exercise efforts.

“Perhaps not surprisingly, the benefits were found to be most pronounced in iron-deficient women and in trained  women,” said Carl Gibson, ceo of the Complementary Healthcare Council of Australia (CHC).

Source:pharmacydaily.com.au, Thursday 24 April 2014