Association between dietary iron, iron stores, and serum lipid profile in reproductive age women

Some studies have shown that increased rate of iron stores even in a normal range may increase cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in some individuals. Lipid disorders are also the risk factors for CVDs. Therefore, the question is whether or not iron store is correlated with lipid profile, this study evaluates the association between dietary iron, iron stores and serum lipid profiles.

This cross-sectional study was done on 82 healthy university students and university staff females in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences who were in reproductive age and announced their readiness to participate in the study. Serum ferritin concentration, components of lipid profile, blood glucose, and insulin were measured in all the subjects. Dietary intake was assessed by semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Data analysis was done through SPSS software, version 18.

Pearson correlation test showed a positive and significant correlation between serum ferritin concentration levels with triglyceride (r = 0.278; P = 0.006), total cholesterol (r = 0.267; P = 0.008), and blood glucose (r = 0.275; P = 0.006); however, the correlation between serum ferritin, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and insulin was not significant. After adjustment of confounding factors, only the significant correlation occurred for blood glucose (P = 0.016). Before and after adjustment of confounding factors, there was no significant correlation between hemoglobin and hematocrit with concentration of lipid profile components, glucose and insulin. Before and after adjustment of confounding factors, there was no significant correlation between total amount of iron, heme iron, and non-heme dietary iron with concentration of lipid profile components, glucose and insulin.

According to the current study, serum ferritin is directly and significantly correlated with concentration of fasting blood glucose, which emphasized on the amount of iron store with blood glucose even in healthy people. The results of the present study indicate no significant correlation between iron store and dietary iron intake with lipid parameters and insulin. Conducting more extensive epidemiologic studies in men and other age groups is recommended.