The effect of iron supplements on the gut microbiome of women of reproductive age: A randomized controlled trial

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dc.contributor.authorElms, L.
dc.contributor.authorHand, B.
dc.contributor.authorSkubisz, M.
dc.contributor.authorBest, K.P.
dc.contributor.authorGrzeskowiak, L.E.
dc.contributor.authorRogers, G.B.
dc.contributor.authorGreen, T.J.
dc.contributor.authorTaylor, S.L.
dc.date.issued2024
dc.description.abstractBACKGROUND: Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide, particularly for young children and women of reproductive age. While oral iron supplements are routinely recommended and generally considered safe, iron supplementation has been shown to alter the fecal microbiota in low-income countries. Little is known about the effect of iron supplementation on the fecal microbiota in high-income settings. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of oral iron supplementation versus placebo on the gut microbiome in non-pregnant women of reproductive age in a high-income country. DESIGN: A 21-day prospective parallel design double-blind, randomized control trial conducted in South Australia, Australia. Women (18-45 y) were randomized to either iron (65.7 mg ferrous fumarate) or placebo. Fecal samples were collected prior to commencing supplements and after 21 days of supplementation. The primary outcome was microbiota beta-diversity (paired-sample weighted UniFrac dissimilarity) between treatment and placebo groups after 21 days of supplementation. Exploratory outcomes included changes in the relative abundance of bacterial taxa. RESULTS: Of 82 women randomized, 80 completed the trial. There was no significant difference between the groups for weighted UniFrac dissimilarity [mean difference: 0.003 (95% confidence interval: -0.007, 0.014); p=0.52] or relative abundance of common bacterial taxa or Escherichia-Shigella (q>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Iron supplementation did not affect the microbiome of non-pregnant women of reproductive age in Australia.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityLevi Elms, Brittany Hand, Monika Skubisz, Karen P Best, Luke E Grzeskowiak, Geraint B Rogers, Tim J Green, Steven L Taylor
dc.identifier.citationJournal of Nutrition, 2024; 154(5):1582-1587
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.03.014
dc.identifier.issn0022-3166
dc.identifier.issn1541-6100
dc.identifier.orcidBest, K.P. [0000-0002-7653-5074]
dc.identifier.orcidGrzeskowiak, L.E. [0000-0001-8554-4696]
dc.identifier.orcidGreen, T.J. [0000-0002-0667-4300]
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/2440/142409
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherElsevier BV
dc.rights© 2024 American Society for Nutrition. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
dc.source.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.03.014
dc.subjectAustralia
dc.subjectIron
dc.subjectmicrobiota
dc.subjectrandomized control trial
dc.subjectsupplementation
dc.subject.meshFeces
dc.subject.meshHumans
dc.subject.meshAnemia, Iron-Deficiency
dc.subject.meshIron
dc.subject.meshProspective Studies
dc.subject.meshDouble-Blind Method
dc.subject.meshDietary Supplements
dc.subject.meshAdolescent
dc.subject.meshAdult
dc.subject.meshMiddle Aged
dc.subject.meshSouth Australia
dc.subject.meshFemale
dc.subject.meshYoung Adult
dc.subject.meshGastrointestinal Microbiome
dc.titleThe effect of iron supplements on the gut microbiome of women of reproductive age: A randomized controlled trial
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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