Iron-deficiency
Conditions
Keywords
female athletes, iron supplementation, prebiotic, probiotic, synbiotic, serum ferritin
Brief summary
Iron deficiency (ID) affects \ 30% of female athletes, and its consequences are highly relevant to athletic performance. Poor iron (Fe) uptake remains a major factor in the development of ID. While animal studies suggest that prebiotics may improve Fe uptake, this has not been well-studied in humans. The main objective of the proposed study is to determine the effects of synbiotic supplementation on the Fe status of ID female athletes during Fe repletion.
Detailed description
Iron deficiency (ID) affects \ 30% of female athletes, and its consequences are highly relevant to athletic performance. Poor iron (Fe) uptake remains a major factor in the development of ID. While animal studies suggest that prebiotics may improve Fe uptake, this has not been well-studied in humans. The main objective of the proposed study is to determine the effects of synbiotic supplementation on the Fe status of ID female athletes during Fe repletion. At the beginning of a training season at a Division III University, the Fe status of 28 female athletes (cross-country, lacrosse, basketball, field hockey) was screened. Twenty eligible athletes (baseline Hgb:12.3±0.9g/dL; sFer:18.1±9.2µg/L) were then randomized to receive either a daily synbiotic supplement (5g prebiotic fiber + 8 billion CFU probiotic B. lactis) or placebo, along with a daily Fe supplement (140 mg FeSO4/d) for 8 weeks using a double-blind design. Fe status and body composition were assessed at baseline, mid-point and after the trial. Participants were instructed to keep daily logs of supplement intake, physical activity, GI and other symptoms.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTSynbiotic Supplement
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPlacebo
Sponsors
Marywood University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Intervention model description
Twenty eligible athletes (baseline Hgb:12.3±0.9g/dL; sFer:18.1±9.2µg/L) were then randomized to receive either a daily synbiotic supplement (5g prebiotic fiber + 8 billion CFU probiotic B. lactis) or placebo, along with a daily Fe supplement (140 mg FeSO4/d) for 8 weeks using a double-blind design.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Female, \>18 y of age, athlete at Marywood University, passed NCAA-required medical screening (e.g. healthy enough to participate in sport).
Exclusion criteria
* Current, acute, chronic illness; severe asthma; pre-existing GI disorders known to affect iron status or aggravated by iron supplementation; not pregnant or breastfeeding; clinically-diagnosed with eating disorder; consuming iron supplement within 4 weeks of screening; hemolytic anemia, excessive alcohol consumption.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Iron status | 8 weeks | Change in serum ferritin |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed