Iron can improve cognitive functioning according to a plethora of research studies that have been conducted over the past decades. Therefore, the health benefits of iron go beyond enhancing athletic performance and boosting your immune system. Moreover, it is clear to see that iron can significantly improve cognitive functioning in both women and children, two groups of people who are vulnerable to the impacts of iron deficiency. This blog post will highlight numerous research studies that explain how iron can improve cognitive functioning. For this reason, it is advisable for women and children, and other vulnerable groups, to focus on taking iron supplements if medically necessary.
Issues Associated with Iron Deficiency
Numerous research studies have shown that increased iron levels, particularly in those with anemia, results in improved cognitive functioning. Studies have shown that people increase their memory and IQ with iron supplements if they were iron deficient before. Women and children are most vulnerable to the impacts of iron deficiency, particularly women and children in developing countries. It is particularly crucial for iron deficiency to be identified early on in children, as it could harm their cognitive development and cause them to lag behind their academic potential.
| Age Group | Prevalence of Anemia |
| Preschool children | 47.4% |
| School-aged children | 25.4% |
| Pregnant Women | 41.8% |
| Men | 12.7% |
| Elderly | 23.9% |
Source: World Health Organization
Iron deficiency is a serious medical issue that mainly impacts children, pregnant women, and the elderly. However, adult men are still vulnerable as well.
Research Studies
Numerous research studies have been conducted, which show that iron can improve cognitive functioning. A lot of these studies have focused on women and children, given that they are more vulnerable to anemia. Iron supplements have been shown to improve cognitive functioning in a variety of age groups. However, the greatest benefits were seen in those that had anemia, while those with adequate levels did not benefit as much.
Attention, Concentration and IQ
A recent study focused on how iron improved cognitive functioning in both children and adults. The study also showed that people with anemia tended to benefit more, while non-anemic people did not benefit in some cases. Iq test scores rose by around 2.5 points for anemic people who took iron supplements. However, there was no notable increase for people who were not suffering from anemia. There was a notable increase in attention and concentration skills in multiple groups, which displays how iron supplementation can benefit everyone.
Memory
Another recent study showed how iron supplementation can help improve your memory. Moreover, iron supplementation was able to help reverse any learning deficits or slower thinking that occurred previously due to iron deficiency. In this test, women with normal iron levels and low iron levels took a memory test. Those with deficiency missed twice as many questions on the test.
How Children Can Benefit
Children below the age of 7 are most vulnerable to iron deficiency, which can result in anemia. This can have a negative impact on child cognitive development and is even linked to other conditions such as autism and ADHD for example. Iron supplements may be necessary for developing countries, where nutritional issues result in people having lower iron levels. Around 25% of people in the world suffer from anemia, and this is mainly due to higher cases among children in areas such as Sub-Saharan Africa. Research studies have produced somewhat mixed results overall, but have concluded that iron supplementation does provide cognitive benefits for those suffering from anemia and that iron supplements can improve cognitive functioning in some areas. However, children with adequate iron levels may not stand to benefit from iron supplementation. It is, therefore, best for nutraceutical companies to focus on targeting younger consumers in Asia and Africa.
How Women can Benefit
Women need more iron than men do, and are consequently more vulnerable to the threats of iron deficiency and anemia. Iron deficiency and anemia are both connected to reduced cognitive function and can result in lower energy levels and slower cognitive processing speed. A study conducted in 2007 concluded that women were able to perform better at cognitive tasks when given iron as compared to women with anemia and average iron levels.
Older People and Iron Deficiency
As people age, they are more vulnerable to the impacts of iron deficiency, which can result in numerous types of mental and physical health issues. Studies have shown that iron deficiency is associated with cognitive decline and that older patients may benefit from taking iron supplements or having their iron levels monitored. Moreover, ID anemia accounts for 16% of all cases and is proven to cause issues such as cognitive decline and dementia.
Takeaway
Iron can improve cognitive functioning in all age groups, so it is crucial for vulnerable groups in the world to ensure that they are not iron deficient. Younger people can benefit from being mentally sharp, and older patients can potentially avoid some of the symptoms of cognitive decline and dementia as they age.
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