title: Long-term weekly iron supplementation improves and sustains nonpregnant women's iron status as well or better than currently recommended short-term daily supplementation.
abstract: This 7-mo double-blind study compared the efficacy of two iron supplementation schemes in improving iron nutrition among 116 healthy fertile-age women. They were randomly distributed in three groups, receiving: Group 1, iron + folate (60 mg and 250 microg, respectively) daily for 3 mo (currently recommended scheme), and folate (250 microg) weekly the subsequent 4 mo. Group 2, folate daily, and 60 mg iron only once weekly for 3 mo, and then weekly iron + folate for 4 mo. Group 3, folate daily for 3 mo and then weekly for 4 mo. At baseline, 16% had depleted stores (plasma ferritin <15 microg/L) and 16% had hemoglobin levels <125 g/L. Eight percent had hemoglobin levels <120 g/L. In Group 1 hemoglobin and ferritin increased at 3 mo but returned to near basal conditions after 4 mo of weekly folate. In Group 2, hemoglobin and ferritin increased progressively throughout the 7 mo but mostly after 3 mo. Group 3 did not change. Side effects were highest with daily iron. Weekly iron supplementation over 7 mo (30 doses) improved and sustained iron nutrition at least as effectively and was better tolerated than 90 daily iron supplements consumed during 3 mo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, Morgan Hall, University of California, Berkeley CA 94720-3104, USA.
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Viteri
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tujague
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004032:Diet; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D011524:Protoporphyrins; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron