IRON

RECRUITMENT IS CLOSED FOR THIS STUDY

What are prebiotics?

Prebiotics are non-digestible fibre that exert bacteria changes in the intestine and bring about health benefits

• They are used in foods to increase beneficial gut bacterial numbers
• They have been found to improve the intestinal bacterial composition of the general population
• They are safe for human consumption
• They have been consumed by humans for hundreds of years

Proposed benefits of prebiotics

• Reduce the number/activities of disease causing bacteria
• Influence satiety
• Improve immune response
• Reduce risk of gastrointestinal illness such as travellers' diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, infections
• Increase absorption of minerals

Ferrous salts administrated during iron deficiency are poorly absorbed in the small intestine. Around 75% of the unabsorbed iron will reach the colon where could be used by intestinal bacteria, especially by non-beneficial bacterial species. Prebiotics are safe interventions that promote growth of beneficial microorganisms as bifidobacteria. The aim of this study is investigating if a prebiotic intervention during iron supplementation could help to mitigate

the adverse effects of iron in the microbiota and therefore, reduce the gastrointestinal symptoms usually associated to iron consumption

Are you?

• Age: 18-50 years (premenopausal)
• Gender: Female

Return to previous studies