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The Effects of Iron Supplementation and Fortification on the Gut Microbiota: A Review Finlayson, Emma; Fischer, Jordie A. J.; Goldfarb, David M.; Karakochuk, Crystal D.

Abstract

Iron supplementation and fortification are used to treat iron deficiency, which is often associated with gastrointestinal conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. Within the gut, commensal bacteria contribute to maintaining systemic iron homeostasis. Disturbances that lead to excess iron promote the replication and virulence of enteric pathogens. Consequently, research has been interested in better understanding the effects of iron supplementation and fortification on gut bacterial composition and overall gut health. While animal and human trials have shown seemingly conflicting results, these studies emphasize how numerous factors influence gut microbial composition. Understanding how different iron formulations and doses impact specific bacteria will improve the outcomes of iron supplementation and fortification in humans. Furthermore, discerning the nuances of iron supplementation and fortification will benefit subpopulations that currently do not respond well to treatment.

Item Metadata

Title
The Effects of Iron Supplementation and Fortification on the Gut Microbiota: A Review
Creator
Finlayson, Emma; Fischer, Jordie A. J.; Goldfarb, David M.; Karakochuk, Crystal D.
Contributor
Children's Hospital (Vancouver, B.C.). Research Institute; BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre; Children's Hospital (Vancouver, B.C.).; University of British Columbia. Food, Nutrition and Health Program
Publisher
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
Date Issued
2020-09-26
Description
Iron supplementation and fortification are used to treat iron deficiency, which is often associated with gastrointestinal conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. Within the gut, commensal bacteria contribute to maintaining systemic iron homeostasis. Disturbances that lead to excess iron promote the replication and virulence of enteric pathogens. Consequently, research has been interested in better understanding the effects of iron supplementation and fortification on gut bacterial composition and overall gut health. While animal and human trials have shown seemingly conflicting results, these studies emphasize how numerous factors influence gut microbial composition. Understanding how different iron formulations and doses impact specific bacteria will improve the outcomes of iron supplementation and fortification in humans. Furthermore, discerning the nuances of iron supplementation and fortification will benefit subpopulations that currently do not respond well to treatment.
Subject
iron supplementation; gut microbiome; iron metabolism; gastrointestinal homeostasis
Genre
Article
Type
Text
Language
eng
Date Available
2021-01-07
Provider
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
Rights
CC BY 4.0
DOI
10.14288/1.0395502
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/2429/77019
Affiliation
Land and Food Systems, Faculty of
Citation
Gastrointestinal Disorders 2 (4): 327-340 (2020)
Publisher DOI
10.3390/gidisord2040030
Peer Review Status
Reviewed
Scholarly Level
Faculty; Researcher
Rights URI
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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CC BY 4.0