Anaemia: Could an iron deficiency lead to mental decline?

First, lets go down to the cellular level. Then well go worldwide.

Each cell of the body is like an individual household. It monitors its needs, distributes its resources, and does what it has to do to survive.

This cell self-management is illustrated in a recent laboratory experiment from Duke University Medical Centre in the US. Researchers showed that when yeast cells were deprived of iron, the hierarchy of the cell rationed the available iron, making sure the most vital functions of the cell received what little iron was available, while cutting back on the iron supply to more than 80 different genes that require iron to function.

The genes that went without included genes responsible for protecting the cell from free radicals, genes that copy the cells DNA for long-term survival, and genes that generate energy. The Duke team believes that when iron supply is low, this rationing may occur throughout the entire body, setting up grim health consequences over time.

Now from the cell we go worldwide: By some estimates, more than two billion people suffer from iron deficiency, and many are not even aware of it. Whats worse, according to a US Pennsylvania State University study, is that even mild iron deficiency may be enough to impair cognitive function.

Iron maidens

The Penn State researchers recruited 113 women, aged 18 to 35. At the outset of the study, a round of cognitive abilities tests were administered. In addition, blood samples separated the women into three categories: 30 were iron sufficient, 53 were iron deficient, and 30 were iron deficient anaemic.

In the initial tests, women who were iron deficient (but not anaemic) scored significantly worse than women who were iron sufficient. Women with anaemia also scored worse, but took longer to complete the tests. And in general, the worse the anaemia, the longer they took.
In the four months following the first tests, the women were randomly selected to receive either a 60 mg iron supplement daily, or a placebo. At the end of this period, the subjects took another round of tests. On average, the women who took the supplements (regardless of their previous iron status) scored just as well on the tests, and just as quickly, as the women who were iron sufficient at the outset of the study.

The authors of the study concluded that their research demonstrates, that iron status is related to information processing in adult women.
Simple, right? Keep that iron level high, and youll keep cognitive abilities sharp. But theres something potentially wrong with this picture.

 
Just add iron? 

The problem with the Penn State research is also the key to its success: iron supplements. These supplements may have done wonders in the short run, but as an ongoing therapy, iron supplementation has several pitfalls.

As long-time e-alert readers know, HSI Panellist Dr Allan Spreen, is an advocate of vitamin dosages well above the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for most supplements. But not for iron, which can create problems in high doses.

Dr. Spreen says, The RDA of iron is far too high. Plus, even if you were proven to have anaemia, I wouldnt treat it with inorganic iron. The mineral is too reactive in the body when it is not insulated from the system by being encased within the heme structure of haemoglobin. Free radical formation from free iron is just too much of a threat.

Dietary sources of heme iron come exclusively from red meat, fish, pork, and poultry, with beef liver and chicken liver having the highest amounts of iron. An additional intake of vitamin C can also help the body absorb iron.

 
Check it out 

The two primary causes of anaemia are iron-poor blood (often triggered by menstruation or internal bleeding), and a deficiency in two critical vitamins: folic acid and vitamin B-12. Getting good amounts of these nutrients is especially important for elderly people because as we age our ability to absorb vitamins from food diminishes. Consequently, our tendency to develop anaemia rises.

Unfortunately, many mainstream doctors see so many elderly patients who have anaemia that the condition is widely regarded as a normal part of ageing. As a result, when anaemia is diagnosed it often goes untreated.

This is a critical mistake because in recent years, research has shown that anaemia dramatically increases the risk of mortality for those with chronic health problems such as heart disease and cancer.

Anaemia is easily diagnosed with a typical blood test, so ask your doctor to check your next blood test for a reading of your red cell blood count - especially if youre feeling unusually fatigued.

If you do have an anaemic condition, the next step is to find out the cause. But if your doctor downplays anaemias importance, or if he recommends a prescription drug, seek a second opinion from a doctor whos knowledgeable about the nutritional problems that can cause an anaemic condition.