Heme and Non-heme Iron Intakes, Gut Microbiota, and Influence on Host Iron Absorption

Launched by CORNELL UNIVERSITY · Nov 21, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The FeMicrobiome study is a clinical trial that aims to understand how our gut bacteria (the microbiome) interact with the iron we get from our food. Researchers want to see if the type of iron we eat—heme iron (found in animal products) and non-heme iron (found in plant foods)—affects how our body absorbs iron. This study is important because it could help explain why some people absorb iron better than others, which is particularly relevant for conditions like anemia (low iron) and iron overload (too much iron).

To participate in this study, you would need to be a healthy adult between the ages of 18 and 40, not currently smoking, and not taking any vitamin or mineral supplements. Women must be premenopausal and not pregnant or breastfeeding. If you qualify and choose to join, you can expect to provide dietary information and possibly undergo tests to assess your iron absorption. This research could lead to better dietary recommendations for people facing iron-related health issues in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Healthy adults
• • Age between 18- 40y
• • Non-smoking
• • Not currently taking vitamin, mineral, prebiotic, and probiotic supplements.
• • Females: premenopausal and not pregnant or lactating
• • No preexisting medical complications (such as eating disorders, hemoglobinopathies, malabsorption diseases, steroid use, substance abuse history, or taking medications known to influence iron homeostasis)
• • Body mass index (BMI) between 18 - 27 kg/m2.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • BMI \<18 or \> 27 kg/m2,
• • Age \<18 y or \> 40y,
• • Smoking
• • Pregnancy, lactating
• • Have gastrointestinal disorders/malabsorption diseases/hemoglobinopathies/dietary restrictions/steroid use/ medication use of medications known to impact iron status, iron utilization or inflammatory status
• • Currently take vitamin, mineral, prebiotic, and probiotic supplements.
• • Recently received antibiotic treatment