Diet gun

Iron deficiency anemia accounts for over 60% of the global incidence of anemia.

Among women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years), the percentage of the global incidence of anemia due to iron deficiency anemia ranges from 35% to 71%, and among preschool children (aged under 4 years), it ranges from 30% to 58%.

Due to menstrual blood loss in women and the increasing iron needs of infants, women of reproductive age and preschool children in particular suffer from iron deficiency.

Several chronic diseases, such as chronic heart failure, cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease, are also frequently associated with iron deficiency anemia.

About 60% of the total body iron is found in the hemoglobin of red blood cells and 7% is found in muscle myoglobin. Thus, about 67% of the body iron is found in proteins that transport or store oxygen.

Iron deficiency anemia can be divided into two main forms: absolute and functional.

Absolute iron deficiency anemia occurs in cases of increased demand, decreased intake, impaired absorption, and chronic blood loss.

Functional iron deficiency anemia is a disorder in which the total body iron level is normal or increased but iron is not effectively mobilized from iron stores in the bone marrow or there is a mismatch between iron demand and supply.

Zinc association with anemia

Research on pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia has shown that they were also zinc deficient in a percentage of 45 – 74%.

In preschool children, research has again shown an association between low iron and low zinc.

In adults, zinc deficiency not only coexists with iron deficiency anemia, but also worsens the epithelial symptoms (angular cheilitis, glossitis, stomatitis, dysphagia, esophageal tissue, hair or nail changes, and easy bruising) of iron deficiency anemia.

The association of zinc with anemia can be divided into

1) zinc deficiency contributing to anemia

2) excessive zinc intake leading to anemia

3) anemia leading to abnormal levels of zinc in the blood

Zinc deficiency contributes to anemia

Zinc deficiency is widespread and affects systemic growth, metabolism, connective tissue, bone and tooth development, immune responses and endocrine regulation, but zinc deficiency has only recently been associated with anemia.

There are studies that show that in zinc deficiency alone we may not encounter iron deficiency anemia. In iron deficiency anemia, zinc deficiency is more likely to be present.

Comparing foods of animal and plant origin demonstrates that there is a strong correlation between the iron and zinc content of foods.

Also, the bioavailability and inhibition of both metals are affected by the same food components.

The cause of iron or zinc deficiency can be insufficient dietary intake of iron or zinc, but the most common causative factor is probably the intake of phytic acid, which is an inhibitor of iron and zinc absorption.

Phytic acid is present in staple foods such as cereals, legumes, corn, rice, nuts, seeds and has a strong negative effect on iron and zinc absorption.

Concomitant iron and zinc deficiencies can be the result of low meat intake and high dietary intake of phytic acid.

Excessive zinc intake leading to anemia

A high-zinc diet resulted in a significant decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Microcytic hypochromic anemia, which is characterized by iron deficiency, has also been observed.

Excessive zinc intake can also come from excessive use of zinc supplements over a long period of time (e.g., several months or more), high-dose zinc administration once for Wilson’s disease, use of high-zinc toothpaste, or even from swallowing coins (mainly by people with mental illness; coins are composed of 98% zinc and 2% copper).

Anemia leading to abnormal levels of zinc in the blood

In anemia, zinc is redistributed in the body, and this has been found in patients with chronic kidney failure, as they have a high incidence of anemia and always have lower plasma zinc levels but higher levels of zinc in their red blood cells than non-patients.

Zinc Supplements for Anemia

In many pregnant women and infants suffering from anemia, zinc supplementation in combination with iron therapy can increase hemoglobin levels and improve iron markers more than an iron supplement without zinc supplementation would.

Source of the article

Article that may help
Iron (Fe)