April 4, 2007
Volume 2007, No. 3
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IN THIS EDITION
STUDY SHOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF SUFFICIENT BRAIN IRON STATUS FOR COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING IN YOUNG WOMEN
PAPER SUMMARIZES CHALLENGES OF GLOBAL ZINC DEFICIENCY
STUDY SHOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF SUFFICIENT BRAIN IRON STATUS FOR COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING IN YOUNG WOMEN
Many recent studies have reported on the relationship between iron status and cognition in both infants and children. An assumption has been made that iron status is critically important during brain development but the impact of brain iron deficiency at other times during life has not been adequately examined. With an estimated 50% of women in the world suffering from iron deficiency, establishing a relationship between iron status and cognition could provide a basis for interventions that could positively impact a significant proportion of the global population. A study reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows the effects of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia on cognitive and emotional performance of young women.
Women in the study were divided into three groups: iron sufficient, nonanemic iron deficient, and iron deficient anemic. In each group, the women received either a slow-release iron supplement or a placebo. Since brain iron concentrations replenish more slowly than liver iron concentrations, a longer trial of 16 weeks was chosen. Cognitive and emotional tests, measuring attention, memory and learning, were administered at baseline and at 16 weeks.
At 16 weeks, the iron deficient group and iron deficient anemic groups receiving the iron supplement significantly increased serum ferritin and showed a five-fold improvement in attention and learning and a seven-fold improvement in memory.
The iron deficient anemic group receiving the iron supplement also significantly increased hemoglobin, hematocrit and transferrin saturation. The women who showed the hemoglobin concentration change were able to complete the attention and memory tests significantly faster at the completion of the 16 weeks than at baseline. An important study outcome is the positive relationship between changes in ferritin concentrations and in cognitive performance even in the absence of anemia. These findings indicate that iron deficiency can affect cognitive performance while anemia affects the speed of performance.
Citation:
Iron treatment normalizes cognitive functioning in young women. Murray-Kolb LE, Beard JL. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2007 Mar;85(3):778-87.
To read the abstract, go to Iron treatment normalizes cognitive functioning in young women.
PAPER SUMMARIZES CHALLENGES OF GLOBAL ZINC DEFICIENCY
Since the 1960's the nutrition science community has become aware of the critical importance of the essential trace mineral, zinc, to human health. This article, published in The Journal of Nutrition, defines the myriad roles of zinc in human metabolism, shows the connection between zinc deficiency and morbidity and mortality in young children, and reviews strategies for treating zinc deficiency. Unfortunately, zinc deficiency is not easily detectable and, until recently, studies concentrated on acute severe zinc deficiency. Recently, a meta-analysis of 33 studies demonstrated that zinc supplementation in young children in the third world was associated with a significant increase in linear growth, an outcome deemed of global practical importance. Pooled analyses of other studies provide convincing evidence for the effectiveness of zinc supplements in preventing diarrhea and pneumonia and treating both acute and persistent diarrhea in infants, both causes of early childhood mortality.
In less developed countries, there are significant challenges to providing sufficient zinc intake for infants at 6 - 8 months, a critical transition period of infant feeding. The zinc intake from human breast milk is insufficient and plant foods are the typical complementary foods. Though there is progress on biofortification of grains with zinc and lowering phytates, these fortified foods will not reach all infants. There is an urgent need for locally produced nonfortified complementary foods providing adequate zinc.
A recent study at the University of Colorado showed the value of adding meat to any food-based approach to providing adequate zinc starting between 5 to 7 months of age. Breastfed babies given beef as a complementary food met estimated dietary and physiologic zinc requirements compared to those meeting half their needs when given cereal. The study also showed that acceptance scores for the beef were equivalent to those for infant cereal.
Sociocultural, economic, and household factors may be significant barriers to providing beef as an early complementary food. Obstacles include lack of awareness of the importance, lack of knowledge about preparation, religious customs and limited meat availability and accessibility. Despite the challenges, local food-based solutions are the best option for achieving nutrient adequacy for many rural populations in less developed countries.
Citation:
Zinc Deficiency: A Special Challenge. Hambidge KM, Krebs NF. The Journal of Nutrition, 2007 Apr;137(4):1101-5.
To read the abstract, go to Zinc Deficiency: A Special Challenge
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