Dietary iron deficiency and sports anaemia.
In order to determine whether dietary inadequacies can explain the sub-optimal iron status widely documented in endurance-trained athletes, the food intake records of Fe-deficient and Fe-replete distance runners and non-exercising controls of both sexes were analysed. In all the male study groups the mean dietary Fe intake met the recommended dietary allowances (RDA; > 10 mg/d (US) Food and Nutrition Board, 1989). However, both female athletes and controls failed to meet the RDA with regard to Fe (< 15 mg/d) and folate (< 200 micrograms/d). There was no difference in the total Fe intakes of Fe-deficient and Fe-replete athletes and the controls of each sex. However, Fe-deficient male runners, but not female runners, consumed significantly less haem-Fe (P = 0.048) than their comparative groups. This suggests that the habitual consumption of Fe-poor diets is a factor in the aetiology of athletes' Fe deficiency.
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Department of Haematology, University of Cape Town Medical School, South Africa.
Jacobs
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Noakes
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D000328:Adult; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000209:etiology*; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006418:Heme / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D012420:Running; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D006418:Heme; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron