Effect of fortification of drinking water with iron plus ascorbic acid or with ascorbic acid alone on hemoglobin values and anthropometric indicators in preschool children in day-care centers in Southeast Brazil

Background. Iron-deficiency anemia currently is the most frequently occurring nutritional disorder worldwide. Previous Brazilian studies have demonstrated that drinking water fortified with iron and ascorbic acid is an adequate vehicle for improving the iron supply for children frequenting day-care centers. Objective. The objective of this study was to clarify the role of ascorbic acid as a vehicle for improving iron intake in children in day-care centers in Brazil. Methods. A six-month study was conducted on 150 children frequenting six day-care centers divided into two groups of three day-care centers by drawing lots: the iron-C group (3 day-care centers, n = 74), which used water fortified with 10 mg elemental iron and 100 mg ascorbic acid per liter, and the comparison group (3 day-care centers, n = 76), which used water containing only 100 mg ascorbic acid per liter. Anthropometric measurements and determinations of capillary hemoglobin were performed at the beginning of the study and after six months of intervention. The food offered at the day-care centers was also analyzed. Results. The fo od offered at the day-care center was found to be deficient in ascorbic acid, poor in heme iron, and adequate in non-heme iron. Supplementation with fortified drinking water resulted in a decrease in the prevalence of anemia and an increase in mean hemoglobin levels associated with height gain in both groups. Conclusions. Fortification of drinking water with iron has previously demonstrated effectiveness in increasing iron supplies. This simple strategy was confirmed in the present study. The present study also demonstrated that for populations receiving an abundant supply of non-heme iron, it is possible to control anemia in a simple, safe, and inexpensive manner by adding ascorbic acid to drinking water. © 2005, The United Nations University.

Metabolismo do ferro em equinos atletas

O ferro participa de várias funções vitais do organismo, como o transporte de oxigênio e de elétrons e a síntese do DNA. Desequilíbrios do metabolismo do ferro podem estar relacionados a sua deficiência ou sobrecarga, porém a deficiência é rara em equinos adultos. Apesar disso, criadores e veterinários de cavalos de esporte utilizam frequentemente suplementos contendo ferro com o objetivo de melhorar o desempenho atlético. Até o momento, nenhum estudo comprovou que o exercício induz deficiência de ferro nessa espécie ou que a suplementação de ferro melhora o seu desempenho. O diagnóstico de deficiência ou sobrecarga de ferro depende de uma avaliação laboratorial criteriosa. A suplementação em equinos não deficientes pode induzir o acúmulo excessivo de ferro, com graves consequências para o animal. Este trabalho revisa as alterações do metabolismo do ferro em equinos submetidos ao exercício, os métodos laboratoriais de avaliação dos estoques de ferro e as consequências da suplementação indevida.

Deficiência de ferro: Conseqüências biológicas e propostas de prevenção

Iron deficiency is the commonest nutritional deficiency in the world. Although it affects adults, particularly women of reproductive age and during gestation, the most vulnerable group is children under two years of age. It affects mainly people living in developing countries, who have less access to balanced diets and health services and are exposed to precarious sanitary conditions. Iron deficiency has an impact on the immunity, adult work capacity and the cognitive development of children. Combating and preventing iron deficiency is one of the priorities in promoting public health. The strategies to achieve this end include the evaluation and correction of iron deficiency in pregnant women, the encouragement of breast feeding, oral iron supplementation in premature and newborn babies of low birth-weight, food enrichment and mobilization of the community.

Anemia, insuficiência cardíaca e manejo clínico baseado em evidências

Anemia is a prevalent comorbidity and marker of a poorer prognosis in patients with heart failure (HF). Its clinical relevance, as well as its pathophysiology and the clinical management of these patients are important subjects in the specialized literature. In the present review, we describe the current concepts on the pathophysiology of anemia in HF, its diagnostic criteria, and the recommendations for iron supplementation. Also, we make a critical analysis of the major studies showing evidences on the benefits of this supplementation. The four main components of anemia are addressed: chronic disease, dilutional, renal and malabsorption. In patients with HF, the diagnostic criteria are the same as those used in the general population: serum ferritin levels lower than 30 mcg/L in patients without kidney diseases and lower than 100 mcg/L or serum ferritin levels between 100-299 mcg/L with transferring saturation lower than 20% in patients with chronic kidney diseases. Finally, the therapeutic possibilities for anemia in this specific patient population are discussed.

Effect of ion supplementation of a commercial soft drink on tooth enamel erosion

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Inorganic and organic trace mineral supplementation in weanling pig diets

A study was conducted to evaluate the s of dietary inorganic and organic trace minerals in two levels of supplementation regarding performance, diarrhea occurrence, hematological parameters, fecal mineral excretion and mineral retention in metacarpals and liver of weanling pigs. Seventy piglets weaned at 21 days of age with an average initial body weight of 6.70 ± 0.38 kg were allotted in five treatments: control diet (no added trace mineral premix); 50% ITMP (control diet with inorganic trace mineral premix supplying only 50% of trace mineral requirements); 50% OTMP (control diet with organic trace mineral premix supplying only 50% of trace mineral requirements); 100% ITMP (control diet with inorganic trace mineral premix supplying 100% of trace mineral requirements); and 100% OTMP (control diet with organic trace mineral premix supplying 100% of trace mineral requirements). Feed intake and daily weight gain were not affected by treatments, however, piglets supplemented by trace minerals presented better gain:feed ratio. No differences were observed at calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sodium and sulfur excreted in feces per kilogram of feed intake. Treatments did not affect calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur and iron content in metacarpals. Trace mineral supplementation, regardless of level and source, improved the performance of piglets.