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Are iron-folate supplements harmful?

K Simmer, C A Iles, C James

    The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
    |January 1, 1987
    PubMed
    Summary
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    Daily iron and folate supplements significantly reduce zinc absorption in pregnant women, potentially harming zinc metabolism. This highlights a risk associated with routine supplementation, especially when zinc intake is already insufficient.

    Area of Science:

    • Human physiology
    • Nutritional science
    • Maternal health

    Background:

    • Pregnancy increases nutritional demands, including zinc.
    • Routine iron and folate supplementation is common during pregnancy.
    • Potential interactions between common supplements and essential minerals are not fully understood.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the impact of iron-folate supplementation on zinc absorption during pregnancy.
    • To determine the specific effects of iron and folate on zinc metabolism.

    Main Methods:

    • Zinc absorption was measured in pregnant women before and after a 2-week course of daily oral iron-folate supplements.
    • Zinc absorption was also assessed in healthy volunteers receiving folate supplements alone.

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    Main Results:

    • Iron-folate supplementation significantly reduced zinc absorption 24 hours post-supplementation.
    • Folate supplementation alone also impaired zinc absorption in healthy volunteers.
    • Findings suggest a mucosal interaction rather than a luminal effect.

    Conclusions:

    • Routine iron and folate supplementation may negatively impact zinc metabolism.
    • This effect is particularly concerning during pregnancy when zinc status is critical.
    • Pregnant women, especially those with marginal zinc intake, should be monitored for potential zinc deficiency due to supplementation.