Iron supplements reduce donor deferralOral or parenteral iron supplementation to reduce deferral, iron deficiency and/or anaemia in blood donors.
We assessed how iron supplementation impacts blood donors who may suffer from low iron levels. Our analysis included thirty studies with nearly 4,700 participants, focusing on the differences between those receiving iron and those who didn’t.
We found that iron supplements reduced the chances of donors being deferred due to low hemoglobin levels and helped elevate their hemoglobin and iron stores. However, we also noted more side effects, like constipation and nausea, among those taking iron.
These side effects hinder its widespread use, suggesting iron supplements should be targeted to at-risk individuals only.
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Vitamin C's impact on constipationFeasibility study for a fully decentralized clinical trial in participants with functional constipation symptoms.
We conducted a fully decentralized clinical trial to explore the effects of vitamin C on constipation symptoms. Participants who experienced functional constipation were randomly assigned to receive either Lactobacillus with vitamin C or vitamin C alone over a two-week treatment period. The study allowed us to gather data remotely, which is quite innovative and accessible.
Looking specifically at the results from the group that received vitamin C, we observed that while there was an increase in the frequency of bowel movements compared to the control group, the isolated effect of vitamin C itself wasn't entirely clear. The combination treatment appeared to improve bowel regularity, but it was difficult to determine how much vitamin C contributed independently to these results.
Additionally, we found that about 67% of participants were diligent in tracking their bowel diary entries, which helped ensure the reliability of our findings to an extent. Yet, a significant portion of the records were not kept as scheduled, highlighting potential hurdles in data collection for decentralized trials.
Overall, our observations suggest that while vitamin C, especially when paired with Lactobacillus, may provide some benefits for those struggling with constipation, we should exercise caution before attributing all improvements solely to vitamin C.
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Iron deficiency linked to constipationGastrointestinal symptoms are closely associated with depression in iron deficiency anemia: a comparative study.
This study examined the connection between gastrointestinal issues, particularly constipation, and depression in patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA).
Conducted at Trakya University, the case-control study involved 125 IDA patients and 57 healthy individuals.
We found that IDA patients reported constipation significantly more often than the control group, with 56% experiencing this symptom. Additionally, their self-reported intensity of bloating and dyspepsia was notably higher, indicating a clear link between IDA, gastrointestinal discomfort, and potential mental health challenges.
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Infant formula impacts stool consistencyFormula tolerance in postbreastfed and exclusively formula-fed infants.
We evaluated how different infant formulas affect the stool characteristics of infants. Two clinical studies focused on infants transitioning from exclusive breastfeeding to formula feeding and those already on formula.
Parents recorded each infant's feeding tolerance, spit-up occurrences, and stool characteristics during the trials. Our findings revealed that the composition of the formula impacts stool consistency.
Specifically, infants consuming formula A exhibited softer stools and more frequent bowel movements compared to those on formula B, which may help lessen concerns about constipation associated with iron-fortified options.
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Iron's minimal effect on constipationLow-Dose Prophylactic Oral Iron Supplementation (Ferrous Fumarate, Ferrous Bisglycinate, and Ferrous Sulphate) in Pregnancy Is Not Associated With Clinically Significant Gastrointestinal Complaints: Results From Two Randomized Studies.
We explored the effects of low-dose iron supplementation on gastrointestinal complaints, particularly constipation, in pregnant women. Conducting two randomized studies, we aimed to determine how different forms of iron—ferrous fumarate, ferrous bisglycinate, and ferrous sulphate—would affect the frequency of GI issues among healthy women throughout their pregnancy.
Through our investigations, we found that constipation was only significantly associated with higher doses of ferrous fumarate (80 mg/day). Interestingly, women taking lower doses of ferrous fumarate (20-60 mg/day) did not report more GI side effects, indicating that manageable doses of iron may be tolerated without significant worry about constipation.
Among the iron formulas tested, ferrous bisglycinate at 25 mg showed the best profile, resulting in fewer GI complaints overall compared to the others. In fact, it was linked to a lower incidence of black stools, which can often be associated with iron intake. Ultimately, we observed that while low-dose iron supplementation might incur some side effects, they are generally not severe enough to warrant a change in dosage or interruption of treatment.
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