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Iron

Selected research topic

Nutrient status

Some measured outcomes improved in human comparison studies. Read these findings with their populations and conditions.

Findings from a combination study cannot be attributed to this ingredient alone.

Publications for this topic
22
Human comparison publications
2
Publications needing review
14

Findings in the studies

  • Outcome needs clarification

    About this measure

    Original outcome name: BI

    • A better result than the comparison group was reported.

      Several ingredients were tested together, so this ingredient’s individual effect is unknown.

      General population · Combination study · 4 and 6 months
      Measurement and study conditions
      Study type
      Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
      Study population
      Human participants · General population
      Ingredients tested
      Ingredient combination
      How results were compared
      Results were compared between groups. · Study comparison: Biofortified vs conventional pearl millet
      Additional measurement information
      Secondary outcome
      Measurement time
      4 and 6 months

  • ferritin

    • A better result than the comparison group was reported.

      Several ingredients were tested together, so this ingredient’s individual effect is unknown.

      General population · Combination study · 4 and 6 months
      Measurement and study conditions
      Study type
      Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
      Study population
      Human participants · General population
      Ingredients tested
      Ingredient combination
      How results were compared
      Results were compared between groups. · Study comparison: Biofortified vs conventional pearl millet
      Additional measurement information
      Secondary outcome
      Measurement time
      4 and 6 months

  • hemoglobin recovery

    • A better result than the comparison group was reported.
      Single ingredient · during 24-week follow-up
      Measurement and study conditions
      Study type
      Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
      Study population
      Human participants · Participant characteristics were not confirmed.
      Ingredients tested
      Single ingredient
      How results were compared
      Results were compared between groups. · Study comparison: oral iron versus no iron
      Additional measurement information
      Primary outcome
      Measurement time
      during 24-week follow-up

  • TfR

    • A better result than the comparison group was reported.

      Several ingredients were tested together, so this ingredient’s individual effect is unknown.

      General population · Combination study · 4 and 6 months
      Measurement and study conditions
      Study type
      Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
      Study population
      Human participants · General population
      Ingredients tested
      Ingredient combination
      How results were compared
      Results were compared between groups. · Study comparison: Biofortified vs conventional pearl millet
      Additional measurement information
      Secondary outcome
      Measurement time
      4 and 6 months
Other measured outcomes (8)

  • Hemoglobin concentration

    Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
    • A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.

      Several ingredients were tested together, so this ingredient’s individual effect is unknown.

      Combination study
      Measurement and study conditions
      Study type
      Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
      Study population
      Human participants · Participant characteristics were not confirmed.
      Ingredients tested
      Ingredient combination
      Measurement time
      Not confirmed.

  • serum ferritin

    Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
    • A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
      Single ingredient
      Measurement and study conditions
      Study type
      Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
      Study population
      Human participants · Participant characteristics were not confirmed.
      Ingredients tested
      Single ingredient
      Measurement time
      Not confirmed.
    Research with unclear study subject or type
    • A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
      Measurement and study conditions
      Study type
      Meta-analysis
      Study population
      Study subject not identified
      Ingredients tested
      Unknown intervention
      How results were compared
      Study comparison: observational associations across low, median and high ferritin strata; not supplementation
      Additional measurement information
      Biomarker
      Measurement time
      Not confirmed.

  • child iron status after birth

    Research with unclear study subject or type
    • A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
      Measurement and study conditions
      Study type
      Systematic review
      Study population
      Recorded population category: General population. Whether the research involved humans needs confirmation.
      Ingredients tested
      Unknown intervention
      How results were compared
      Study comparison: Maternal iron-status association across heterogeneous studies; comparator groups not specified
      Additional measurement information
      Biomarker
      Measurement time
      pregnancy exposure with offspring follow-up, predominantly infancy

  • Hemoglobin level

    Research with unclear study subject or type
    • The study reported improvement in this measurement.

      Several ingredients were tested together, so this ingredient’s individual effect is unknown.

      What the comparison group used was not confirmed.

      Combination study
      Measurement and study conditions
      Study type
      Systematic review
      Study population
      Study subject not identified
      Ingredients tested
      Ingredient combination
      How results were compared
      Results were compared between groups.
      Measurement time
      Not confirmed.

  • Iron absorption

    Research with unclear study subject or type
    • A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.

      Several ingredients were tested together, so this ingredient’s individual effect is unknown.

      Combination study
      Measurement and study conditions
      Study type
      Review
      Study population
      Recorded population category: Deficiency group. Whether the research involved humans needs confirmation.
      Ingredients tested
      Ingredient combination
      Measurement time
      Not confirmed.

  • Iron deficiency anemia at term

    Research with unclear study subject or type
    • A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
      Single ingredient
      Measurement and study conditions
      Study type
      Meta-analysis
      Study population
      Recorded population category: Deficiency group. Whether the research involved humans needs confirmation.
      Ingredients tested
      Single ingredient
      Measurement time
      Not confirmed.

  • soluble transferrin receptor-to-ferritin ratio

    Research with unclear study subject or type
    • A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
      Measurement and study conditions
      Study type
      Meta-analysis
      Study population
      Study subject not identified
      Ingredients tested
      Unknown intervention
      How results were compared
      Study comparison: inverse observational association in median and high ratio strata; not supplementation
      Additional measurement information
      Biomarker
      Measurement time
      Not confirmed.

  • treatment of iron-deficiency anemia

    Research with unclear study subject or type
    • The study reported improvement in this measurement.

      Several ingredients were tested together, so this ingredient’s individual effect is unknown.

      Combination study
      Measurement and study conditions
      Study type
      Systematic review
      Study population
      Recorded population category: Patient group. Whether the research involved humans needs confirmation.
      Ingredients tested
      Ingredient combination
      How results were compared
      Results were compared between groups. · Study comparison: Various dietary intervention comparisons; review reports confirmation only for iron supply plus vita
      Additional measurement information
      Biomarker
      Measurement time
      Intervention durations varied from 3 months or less to 6 months or more.

This result is held for interpretation. That does not mean research found no effect.

Outcome groups needing additional review (5)
  • child soluble transferrin receptor concentrations · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Direction unclear: 1
  • ID · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Direction unclear: 1
  • Mean calculated dietary absorption · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Direction unclear: 1
  • prevalence of iron deficiency · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Direction unclear: 1
  • SF · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Direction unclear: 1

One paper can appear under multiple measured outcomes or review reasons, so these counts should not be added together.

Representative outcome and study details

Partial research summary

Studies with an unspecified organism reported a change with no confirmed comparison group in Iron absorption.

These conditions come from related studies and may not describe a single paper.

single- and combination-ingredient studies · Individual ingredient effects cannot be separated · Includes deficiency groups · Population not specified · comparator not confirmed

2 publications linked to this result (1 awaiting review included)

  • Study conditions differ; results are shown descriptively and are not pooled.
  • Combination, formula, or class studies do not isolate this ingredient or establish synergy.
  • Some publications have not cleared source or interpretation review.
  • Some papers could not be reviewed, so this summary covers only findings that could be confirmed.
Data coverage and detailed study classifications

Paper counts are separated by research topic below. One paper may contribute to multiple findings.

Analysis status: Public-ready

Ingredient analysis date:

How the grade was determined: B

The 63.6 evidence score includes 4 independent human studies and 4 clinical studies in the representative benefit area. The B tier remains conservative because of the evidence centers on contextual or measured outcomes rather than general-use effects, limited repetition across independent human clinical studies.

The grade is based mainly on the research area with the most evidence. It does not mean the same result was found in other areas.

Papers linked to this ingredient overall: 50

Papers linked to this topic 22 · distinct papers 22 · papers with a confirmed human comparison 2 · papers needing additional review 14

A publication may appear in more than one count. These numbers should not be added. Ingredient-wide papers, topic-linked papers, and sources in outcome groups use different scopes. Adding source counts may count the same paper more than once.

  • BI: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
  • child iron status after birth: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
  • child soluble transferrin receptor concentrations: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
  • ferritin: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
  • Hemoglobin concentration: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
  • Hemoglobin level: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
  • hemoglobin recovery: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
  • ID: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
  • Iron absorption: Sources represented in this measurement group: 2 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
  • Iron deficiency anemia at term: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
  • Mean calculated dietary absorption: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
  • prevalence of iron deficiency: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
  • serum ferritin: Sources represented in this measurement group: 2 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
  • SF: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
  • soluble transferrin receptor-to-ferritin ratio: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
  • TfR: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
  • treatment of iron-deficiency anemia: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0

What the research found

BI

The study reported improvement in this measurement.

Controlled study in people · Ingredient combination · General population

Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.

Between-group comparison

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

ferritin

The study reported improvement in this measurement.

Controlled study in people · Ingredient combination · General population

Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.

Between-group comparison

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

hemoglobin recovery

The study reported improvement in this measurement.

Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Unspecified population

Between-group comparison

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

TfR

The study reported improvement in this measurement.

Controlled study in people · Ingredient combination · General population

Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.

Between-group comparison

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

Hemoglobin level

The study reported improvement in this measurement.

Review · Ingredient combination · Unspecified population

Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.

Between-group comparison

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

treatment of iron-deficiency anemia

The study reported improvement in this measurement.

Review · Ingredient combination · Patient group

Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.

Between-group comparison

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

child iron status after birth

A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.

Review · Unknown intervention · General population

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

Hemoglobin concentration

A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.

Controlled study in people · Ingredient combination · Unspecified population

Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

iron absorption

A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.

Review · Ingredient combination · Deficiency group

Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

Iron deficiency anemia at term

A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.

Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · Deficiency group

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

serum ferritin

A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.

Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Unspecified population

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

serum ferritin

A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.

Meta-analysis · Unknown intervention · Unspecified population

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

soluble transferrin receptor-to-ferritin ratio

A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.

Meta-analysis · Unknown intervention · Unspecified population

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

child soluble transferrin receptor concentrations

The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.

Review · Unknown intervention · General population

The comparison could not be confirmed.

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

1 papers held from direction counts

Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

ID

The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.

Review · Unknown intervention · Deficiency group

The comparison could not be confirmed.

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

1 papers held from direction counts

Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

Iron absorption

The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.

Review · Single ingredient · Unspecified population

The comparison could not be confirmed.

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

1 papers held from direction counts

Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

Mean calculated dietary absorption

The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.

Observational study · Unknown intervention · General population

The comparison could not be confirmed.

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

1 papers held from direction counts

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

prevalence of iron deficiency

The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.

Review · Unknown intervention · Deficiency group

The comparison could not be confirmed.

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

1 papers held from direction counts

Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

SF

The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.

Observational study · Unknown intervention · General population

The comparison could not be confirmed.

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

1 papers held from direction counts

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

Unspecified measured outcome

The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.

Controlled study in people · Ingredient combination · Unspecified population

Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.

The comparison could not be confirmed.

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

1 papers held from direction counts

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

Unspecified measured outcome

The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.

Review · Ingredient combination · Patient group

Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.

Between-group comparison

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

1 papers held from direction counts

Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

Unspecified measured outcome

The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.

Review · Ingredient combination · Unspecified population

Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.

The comparison could not be confirmed.

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

1 papers held from direction counts

Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

Unspecified measured outcome

The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.

Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group

The comparison could not be confirmed.

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

1 papers held from direction counts

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

Unspecified measured outcome

The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.

Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Unspecified population

The comparison could not be confirmed.

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

1 papers held from direction counts

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

Unspecified measured outcome

The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.

Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · Unspecified population

The comparison could not be confirmed.

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

1 papers held from direction counts

Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

Unspecified measured outcome

The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.

Other evidence · Single ingredient · Unspecified population

The comparison could not be confirmed.

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

1 papers held from direction counts

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

Unspecified measured outcome

The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.

Meta-analysis · Unknown intervention · Unspecified population

The comparison could not be confirmed.

Analysis coverage and paper counts

1 paper · 1 measured outcome

1 papers held from direction counts

Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.

Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.

How to read research findings

How should I read research findings?

Research guides

Side effects and combination findings

Findings from this ingredient alone are shown separately from those involving another supplement or medication.

No combination cautions are available to show in the current data. This does not guarantee safety.

Side effects and combination studies

No side-effect or combination findings are available to show from the collected papers. This does not establish safety.