Iron supplementation refers to the process of taking extra iron in the form of supplements or tablets to boost the level of iron in the body. This is often done to treat or prevent iron deficiency, which can cause low energy, weakness, and other health problems.
Full definition
Dogs suffering from certain diseases or who experience chronic loss of blood might
require iron supplementation, but don't give your pet these products without veterinary approval.
I'm working on pieces about practical strategies to increase the iron in your baby's diet and on
why iron supplementation is controversial, so stay tuned.
It is largely important to determine if this is the root cause of the anemia because
iron supplementation given during this state of inflammation can potentially create more damage and oxidative stress.
However, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (a nongovernment panel sponsored by the U.S. Public Health Service, a federal agency), «There is currently little evidence to suggest that
routine iron supplementation during pregnancy is beneficial.»
For those babies who do
need iron supplementation (hemoglobin levels have been checked and are too low), it's important to make sure that the solids that baby eats are high in iron and vitamin C.
If iron supplementation is needed, consider Optimal Iron Plus Cofactors; for a gentle, well - absorbed chelated iron.
Iron supplementation resulted in an increased birth weight [5.3 ounces], gestational duration, and neonatal length; enhanced maternal and infant iron stores at 1 month after birth; and a decreased risk of low birth weight (by 58 percent) and prematurity.
My daughter had her taken off the iron, and was bullied by the nurses and pediatrician, they said babies mental and nervous system development will be compromised
without iron supplementation because of her premature age.
Although on somewhat opposite sides of the debate, nutritional scientists Friel [3] and Lönnerdal [1] both agree that there are certainly some infants who would greatly benefit from
iron supplementation prior to six months of age, including infants born prematurely, multiples, and infants whose mothers have severe anemia [1 — 4, 10].
The Friel (2003) study that is referenced is based on mixed fed infants and not exclusively breastfed infants; the attrition rate is very high; iron levels in human milk are not «low» they are normal and efficiently absorped and utilized; potential lack of safety and side effects of
infant iron supplementation in iron sated populations should be noted (Domellof, 2001).
«In low - and middle - income countries, it is generally impractical to screen for iron status, and most countries have policies for
universal iron supplementation for pregnant women.
«The findings from the current study not only address a gap in the literature, but also have potentially important policy implications for countries like Ghana that have not
implemented iron supplementation or fortification as part of anemia control programs in part due to the joint recommendation from the WHO and UNICEF.
Moreover, pediatricians routinely test babies and children they consider at risk for anemia and
encourage iron supplementation starting as early as four months old in accordance with the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
If you're considering using one of these, be aware that
excess iron supplementation (considered to be more than 45 mg a day) can cause gastrointestinal upsets like constipation and nausea.
Long -
term iron supplementation has been found in many studies to create oxidative stress in the body as the iron deposits accumulate in the body's tissues and artery walls, potentially leading to atherosclerosis.
Depending on the underlying cause, and severity, a variety of options may be available to alleviate the effects of anemia
including iron supplementation, management of stomach ulceration, and the administration of erythropoietin to stimulate the bone marrow.
This might lead some to assume that
iron supplementation later in life corrects all of the problems associated with earlier deficiencies, Mudd said.
Previous research has suggested that
iron supplementation for children with iron deficiency in malaria - endemic areas may increase the risk of malaria.
A study (Dewey 2002) found that
routine iron supplementation of breastfed babies with normal hemoglobin levels may present risks to the infant, including slower growth (length and head circumference) and increased risk of diarrhea.
K.G. Dewey, et al., «
Iron supplementation affects growth and morbidity of breast - fed infants: results of a randomized trial in Sweden and Honduras,» Journal of Nutrition 132, no. 2 (Nov 2002): 3249 - 55.
Among women in a malaria - endemic region in Kenya,
daily iron supplementation during pregnancy did not result in an increased risk of malaria, according to a study in the September 8 issue of JAMA.
Some studies have suggested that
iron supplementation in young children living in areas where malaria is endemic could increase their risk of malaria [66,67].
The earlier a premature baby is born and the faster that baby is growing, the sooner she'll need
iron supplementation.)