Kalman Douglas, Hewlings Susan, Madelyn-Adjei Alexis, Ebersole Blake
Substantiation Sciences, LLC, Weston, FL 33332, USA.
Nutrition Department, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328, USA.
Nutrients. 2025 Jun 27;17(13):2132. doi: 10.3390/nu17132132.
Iron is a fundamental micronutrient essential for oxygen transport, enzymatic activity, and metabolic homeostasis. Yet it remains the most deficient nutrient in the world, with more than 2 billion people estimated with iron deficiency anemia. In the diet, animal foods provide iron primarily as heme iron. Dietary heme iron is absorbed through the active transport pathways catalyzed by heme oxygenase in the intestinal enterocyte. This form of heme differs in its bioavailability, absorption mechanisms, and tolerability compared to non-heme forms of iron, including iron salts and chelates. Adding more heme iron to a diet, including through iron supplements, may help to reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency. Future research should focus on research of heme iron supplementation strategies to enhance absorption efficiency, gut microbiome health, and safety, ensuring optimal iron status across diverse populations.
铁是一种基本的微量营养素，对氧气运输、酶活性和代谢稳态至关重要。然而，它仍然是世界上最缺乏的营养素，估计有超过20亿人患有缺铁性贫血。在饮食中，动物性食物主要以血红素铁的形式提供铁。膳食血红素铁通过肠道肠细胞中血红素加氧酶催化的主动运输途径被吸收。与非血红素形式的铁（包括铁盐和螯合物）相比，这种形式的血红素在生物利用度、吸收机制和耐受性方面有所不同。在饮食中添加更多的血红素铁，包括通过铁补充剂，可能有助于降低缺铁的患病率。未来的研究应专注于血红素铁补充策略的研究，以提高吸收效率、肠道微生物群健康和安全性，确保不同人群的最佳铁状态。
