29Iron plays a decisive role in the transport of oxygen in the human body. This happens via the red blood pigment (hemoglobin) in the blood. French researchers have now been able to prove for the first time in animal experiments that probiotics can improve the ability to store and distribute iron in the intestine.
Too much or too little iron?
The iron value in the blood is determined by the doctor on the basis of a blood count. If the iron value is too low, iron preparations are prescribed. The daily iron requirement is between 10 and 30 milligrams, depending on gender and age. Pregnancy or anaemia (anaemia) increase the iron requirement.
Iron deficiency anaemia is often treated by the administration of high doses of iron salts. This often results in gastrointestinal complaints such as nausea, stomach pain, diarrhoea, constipation, flatulence and the like. Less iron is sometimes more.
A warning is given against self-treatment with iron, as overdoses have negative effects. In food, iron is found mainly in liver, red meat, eggs, fish, whole grain products and leafy vegetables.
Probiotics could reduce intestinal complaints with iron supplementation.
How does iron interact with the microbiome in the intestine?
The study results of French researchers show for the first time that special intestinal bacteria improve the ability of enterocytes to store and distribute iron. Enterocytes are cells of the intestinal mucosa in the small intestine and colon. They serve to break down and pass on the food components in the intestine. By colonizing the intestine with probiotics, the iron storage capacity and iron distribution of these enterocytes was significantly increased.
These results make it possible to understand another detail of the complex iron metabolism and its interaction with our microbiome. The findings from the laboratory experiments with mice form the basis for promising research in the future.
If these results are confirmed, probiotics could reduce the side effects of iron supplementation. This would significantly improve the treatment options for iron deficiency.
