Mike Montemarano, Associate Editor 04.21.21
Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency globally, mostly effecting women of childbearing age, especially those who are pregnant. While iron supplements may seem like a more obvious answer to this challenge, for some, high-dose iron supplements cause certain side effects, like stomach pain or constipation. Alternatives to improving iron status could come from nutraceuticals which improve the absorption rate of iron taken in through the diet, and one such alternative could be a probiotic strain, according to a new clinical trial published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted on a probiotic strain, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v, branded by supplier Probi as FerroSorb, which was administered and compared against a placebo in a population of 326 healthy pregnant women.
“Compared to the women in the placebo group, the women taking Probi FerroSorb experienced a significantly lower decrease in serum ferritin, hemoglobin, and other markers of iron status during pregnancy. Moreover, there was a significantly smaller prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia at week 35 in the Probi FerroSorb group vs. placebo,” Titti Niskanen, director of R&D and clinical operations at Probi, said. “Even eight weeks after giving birth the women who had consumed Probi Ferrosorb throughout their pregnancy had a significantly higher ferritin level than women in the placebo group. This improved iron status after delivery may prove beneficial for maternal postpartum recovery as well as for future pregnancies.”
Iron is absorbed from the diet as either heme iron, derived from animal food sources, or non-heme iron, derived from plants and iron-fortified foods. Despite its relative abundance, and relatively low daily iron requirements, iron is often a limiting nutrient in the human diet, Probi said. This is because a significant portion of iron remains unabsorbed in the intestine, resulting in potential side effects tied to supplementation.
“Probi has previously shown increased iron absorption with Probi FerroSorb in repeated studies, and now we are very proud also being able to show improved iron status,” Tom Rönnlund, CEO of Probi, said. “It is a big achievement and a novelty within the probiotic space. This means that this specific ClinBac offering from Probi is supported by studies on iron absorption in non-pregnant women, and iron status in female athletes and in pregnant women, so it can be recommended to a wide range of consumer groups.”
Mike Montemarano has been the Associate Editor of Nutraceuticals World since February 2020. He can be reached at mmontemarano@rodmanmedia.com.
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted on a probiotic strain, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v, branded by supplier Probi as FerroSorb, which was administered and compared against a placebo in a population of 326 healthy pregnant women.
“Compared to the women in the placebo group, the women taking Probi FerroSorb experienced a significantly lower decrease in serum ferritin, hemoglobin, and other markers of iron status during pregnancy. Moreover, there was a significantly smaller prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia at week 35 in the Probi FerroSorb group vs. placebo,” Titti Niskanen, director of R&D and clinical operations at Probi, said. “Even eight weeks after giving birth the women who had consumed Probi Ferrosorb throughout their pregnancy had a significantly higher ferritin level than women in the placebo group. This improved iron status after delivery may prove beneficial for maternal postpartum recovery as well as for future pregnancies.”
Iron is absorbed from the diet as either heme iron, derived from animal food sources, or non-heme iron, derived from plants and iron-fortified foods. Despite its relative abundance, and relatively low daily iron requirements, iron is often a limiting nutrient in the human diet, Probi said. This is because a significant portion of iron remains unabsorbed in the intestine, resulting in potential side effects tied to supplementation.
“Probi has previously shown increased iron absorption with Probi FerroSorb in repeated studies, and now we are very proud also being able to show improved iron status,” Tom Rönnlund, CEO of Probi, said. “It is a big achievement and a novelty within the probiotic space. This means that this specific ClinBac offering from Probi is supported by studies on iron absorption in non-pregnant women, and iron status in female athletes and in pregnant women, so it can be recommended to a wide range of consumer groups.”
Mike Montemarano has been the Associate Editor of Nutraceuticals World since February 2020. He can be reached at mmontemarano@rodmanmedia.com.
