Micronutrient therapy
| Risk groups for iron deficiency and anemic diseases |
| Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency worldwide. Iron intake is particularly problematic in women of childbearing age. Over 75% of women at this age fall below the recommendations for iron intake. A subclinical or clinical deficiency also often occurs during pregnancy, in athletes, during heavy menstruation, gastrointestinal bleeding or digestive and absorption disorders. Iron deficiency leads to a reduced hemoglobin and erythrocyte concentration with unspecific symptoms and ultimately manifests itself in the form of anemia. The reduced oxygen transport in the blood leads to an impaired supply of organs and tissues. This causes general complaints such as fatigue, exhaustion and fatigue. Early symptoms of iron deficiency include cracks in the corners of the mouth, chapped, brittle and dry skin, disorders in hair and nail growth as well as increased susceptibility to infection due to impaired immune response. Latent iron deficiency symptoms are characterized in that the iron reservoirs are largely emptied. This does not yet lead to a failure of iron-dependent functions, but there are also no reserves for times of increased demand. Iron deficiency ultimately leads to hypochromic microcytic anaemia, which manifests itself in the formation of hemoglobin-poor, small erythrocytes. A distinction must be made between megaloblastic anemia caused by vitamin B- and/or Folic Aciddeficiency. |
| Ferrous salts versus vegetable iron |
| iron salts: For iron supplementation with iron salts, divalent iron salts (e.g. iron II gluconate) are recommended, as they have better bioavailability and compatibility than trivalent iron forms. The addition of vitamin C also increases the absorption rates. Supplementation with iron salts often causes nausea due to poor gastrointestinal tolerance and can lead to flooding of iron ions in the intestinal lumen. Due to their oxidative potential, these can damage the intestinal mucosa. Side effects are expected in about 20% of users (flatulence, pain, constipation and nausea) and lead to a high abortion rate. Fermented iron: |
| Provide devices |
| Retinol promotes the formation and release of new erythrocytes and facilitates the incorporation of iron. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to impaired iron eutilisation and associated hypochromic anaemia. Vitamin B12 and Copper are required for the production of erythrocytes. |