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Nutrient Interactions with Iron

Posted by Blog Sunday, March 6, 2011

Iron deficiency anemia may be aggravated by a deficiency of vitamin A. With iron deficiency anemia, the combination of iron supplementation with vitamin A supplementation is more effective than either supplement alone. Vitamin A seems to improve the iron status of pregnant women and children.

Copper has been found to assist iron absorption. Copper may assist the transport of iron from the liver to the bone marrow for red blood cell formation. Anemia is one of the clinical signs of both copper deficiency and iron deficiency. Iron supplementation has been found to interfere with the absorption of zinc supplements, but only on an empty stomach. Taken with food, iron does not interfere with zinc absorption.

 Most supplements are designed to be taken with food and this is one reason why. The iron in fortified food does not appear to inhibit zinc absorption. Calcium can interfere with iron absorption when both nutrients are consumed together. The calcium and phosphorus in milk can reduce iron absorption. This is  not normally a problem, as there does not seem to be any interference when the amount of calcium is under 1000 mg (the amount in two cups of milk).


Nutrient Interactions with Iron


Vitamin A helps relieve iron deficiency.

Copper assists iron absorption.

Iron can interfere with zinc absorption on  an empty stomach.

High levels of calcium supplementation can reduce iron absorption.






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