Iron metabolism is dependent on many nutrients, including Vitamin A. Studies in animal models have shown that Vitamin A stimulates the release of erythropoietin (EPO), the primary stimulant of red blood cell production. A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that supplementation with Vitamin A in children improves both Vitamin A status and anemia.
Eighty-one children were enrolled in the study and given single doses of Vitamin A (200,000 IU) at baseline and five months or placebo in this double blind randomized study. Vitamin A status, iron studies, hemoglobin, and EPO were measured at baseline, 5 months and 10 months in both groups.
Compared to controls, children given Vitamin A had increases in hemoglobin at 10 months. And the incidence of anemia was reduced from 54% at baseline to 38% at 10 months. The size of red blood cells also increased, which could be caused by increased iron in the cell. Total body iron stores did not change, but serum ferritin did decrease, which may indicate improved iron metabolism. Levels of EPO did increase in the Vitamin A group compared to the controls.
The authors believe that Vitamin A improves iron deficiency anemia via iron store mobilization and increased production of red blood cells.
Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 29, 2006 02:45 PM
