Professor issues warning to anyone taking iron supplements

Professor issues warning to anyone taking iron supplements Scientist explains nasty side effects - but explained several specific foods not to take it with An academic has issued a warning to anyone taking iron supplements, explaining that taking it with the wrong foods or drinks can have a massive detrimental effect. Writing on The Conversation website, Rachel Woods, Associate Professor of Medical Education, University of Nottingham, University of Lincoln, explained that people take the supplements to treat iron deficiency anaemia. And she said that people could suffer from nasty side effects such as nausea, constipation, diarrhoea or stomach pain - and taking it with food can help. She said the main problem is that iron is ‘the fussiest supplement’ people can take. She said: “Because iron deficiency can be caused by blood loss and poor absorption, including conditions affecting the gut, it should be confirmed and its cause considered rather than self-treated on the basis of tiredness alone.” Having certain hot drinks, other supplements, and even the time of day can make a difference, she said, studies have found. In terms of one popular beverage, she said: “Coffee can substantially reduce iron absorption. In a small study of 34 iron-depleted women, coffee taken with a 100mg iron supplement reduced absorption by 54% compared with water. Taking the supplement with breakfast reduced absorption by 66%, even though the meal included orange juice. “The same study found that 80mg of vitamin C increased iron absorption by 30%, while 500mg offered no further improvement. It also suggested that absorption was 37% lower in the afternoon than in the morning. The result fell just outside the usual threshold for statistical significance, so it cannot support a firm rule about taking iron in the morning. “Improved absorption does not always produce better clinical results. In a randomised trial involving 440 adults with iron deficiency anaemia, iron alone was as effective as iron combined with vitamin C at improving haemoglobin and iron stores.” Prof Woods said people are advised to talk to a pharmacist if they’re also taking calcium supplements too. She explained: “Calcium can reduce iron absorption over a single meal or dose, particularly in large amounts. However, the same systematic review of human studies found that its effect on long-term iron status was small. If you have been advised to take both calcium and iron, ask a pharmacist whether to separate them. “Iron is generally absorbed better on an empty stomach but can cause nausea, constipation, diarrhoea or stomach pain. Taking it with food may make treatment easier to tolerate. NHS advice is to take ferrous sulfate 30 minutes before eating or two hours afterwards, where possible, but with or after food if it upsets your stomach. Following the instructions for your preparation is more useful than pursuing perfect absorption and repeatedly missing doses.” Many people take a lot of supplements even without having them advised by a health professional. Prof Woods warned that high doses in particular could cause problems, and if people take too much, they can form a toxic mass in the body. She said: “Taking a supplement without a clear reason may also cause harm. High doses of some water-soluble vitamins can cause harm, and too much vitamin B6, for example, has been linked to nerve damage. Some fat-soluble vitamins, particularly vitamin A, can accumulate and cause toxicity when taken in excess.” Read the full article here.