Recent scientific evidence has shown there is a link between iron absorption and gut health. Others have highlighted the ability of prebiotics (scGOS/lcFOS*) to increase iron absorption by protecting the gut microbiota.
IMPACT OF IRON SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE GUT MICROBIOTA
Jaeggi T et al. demonstrate through a study that iron fortification negatively impacts the gut microbiota, increasing the amount of pathogenic bacteria and causing intestinal inflammation in Kenyan children. They also note that iron fortification tends to increase the incidence of diarrhea1.
Zimmermann MB et al. study the effects of iron supplementation on the gut microbiota in African children in Ivory Coast. They note that iron fortification has resulted in a significant modification of the gut microbiota to a pathogenic profile, with a reduction in lactobacilli and an increase in enterobacteria. They also note a significant increase in fecal calprotectin, and therefore intestinal inflammation, in the fortified group2.
Iron supplementation negatively impacts the gut microbiota by imbalancing it towards a pathogenic profile and by increasing intestinal inflammation1,2.
IMPACT OF PREBIOTIC GALACTO-OLIGOSACCHARIDES (GOS) ON IRON ABSORPTION AND GUT MICROBIOTA
Paganini D et al. demonstrate that from a micronutrient powder containing ferrous fumarate and sodium iron EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) in Kenyan children, the consumption of galacto-oligosaccharides increases iron absorption. They showed that when iron is administered in the form of FeFum+NaFeEDTA, the addition of GOS increases iron absorption by 62%3.
They also observe, in a second study, that prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides mitigate the adverse effects of iron supplementation on the gut microbiota in Kenyan children. This was reflected in the study by a reduction in the incidence of treated respiratory infections4.
Incorporating prebiotic GOS in the diet of children can increase iron absorption, whilst protecting the gut microbiota from the harmful effects of non-absorbed iron.3,4.
improve iron ABSORPTION thanks TO PREBIOTICs scGOS/lcFOS*
Yeung CK et al.’s analysis helps to better understand the potential mechanisms of prebiotics that allow an increase in iron absorption. Thus, prebiotics apply a double action in the duodenum as well as in the colon, which demonstrates a relationship between their ingestion and the bioavailability of iron5.
The study by Christides T et al. evaluates the iron bioavailability of four fortified young child formulas (YCF) containing similar amounts of iron, but varying amounts of prebiotics (fructo- and galacto-oligosaccharides; respectively FOS and GOS) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). According to the results of the study, prebiotics (scGOS/lcFOS*) represent an effective nutritional strategy to optimize iron absorption and improve digestive tolerance in non-breastfed children6.
Infant formulas enriched with prebiotics (scGOS/lcFOS*) and vitamin C improve iron absorption5.6.
Publication : review of scientific studies on iron absorption and gut health
References
*scGOS/lcFOS: short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides.
- Jaeggi T et al. Iron fortification adversely affects the gut microbiome, increases pathogen abundance and induces intestinal inflammation in Kenyan infants. Gut 2015; 64: 731-42.
- Zimmermann MB et al. The effects of iron fortification on the gut microbiota in African children: A randomized controlled trial in Côte d’Ivoire. Am J Clin Nutr 2010; 92: 1406-15.
- Paganini D et al. Consumption of galacto-oligosaccharides increases iron absorption from a micronutrient powder containing ferrous fumarate and sodium iron EDTA: a stable-isotope study in Kenyan Infants. Am J Clin Nutr 2017. doi:10.3945/ajcn.116.145060.
- Paganini D et al. Prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides mitigate the adverse effects of iron fortification on the gut microbiome: a randomised controlled study in Kenyan infants. Gut 2017; 0: 1-11.
- Yeung CK et al. Prebiotics and iron bioavailability – is there a connection? J Food Sci 2005; 70: 88-92.
- Christides T et al. In vitro assessment of iron availability from commercial young child formula supplemented with prebiotics. Eur J Nutr 2016. DOI 10.1007/s00394-016-1353-3.
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