Researchers have developed a three-in-one iron supplement combining iron, probiotics, and prebiotics to treat iron-deficiency anemia while preserving gut health. In studies on mice, the formula restored hemoglobin levels and balanced gut bacteria without causing inflammation. This innovation could improve anemia treatment by reducing common side effects of traditional supplements.
Iron-deficiency anemia affects many people, causing symptoms like fatigue, headaches, and ice cravings due to insufficient red blood cells for oxygen transport. It often stems from dietary iron shortages, infections, or inherited conditions. Doctors commonly prescribe oral iron tablets, but the body absorbs only a small fraction, leaving unabsorbed iron to irritate the digestive tract, disrupt gut bacteria, and trigger inflammation. Probiotics are sometimes added to mitigate these issues.
A team led by Poonam Sagar and Nitin Kumar Singhal at the National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute built on prior research by creating a supplement that includes dietary fiber from millet, the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and an iron-containing complex. First tested for compatibility with human cells, the formula was then administered to mice with induced iron-deficiency anemia for two weeks.
The results showed restored hemoglobin levels, the iron-rich molecule in red blood cells, comparable to healthy controls. Iron excretion normalized, indicating better absorption, while genes for iron transport and metabolism became more active. Colon inflammation remained very low, and depleted beneficial gut bacteria recovered.
"By advancing biomaterial-based iron delivery, this research offers a transformative approach to address anemia, directly contributing to improved nutrition and long-term public health," explains Poonam Sagar, an author of the study. The work, published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, received support from India's Ministry of Science and Technology. Further human trials are needed to confirm these benefits.