What are the long term effects of iron deficiency?
A study of 600 British girls aged 11-18 years found that slight anaemia due to iron deficiency can affect cognitive function.4 Girls with poor iron status had significantly lower IQ (intelligence quotient) scores than in those with borderline or good iron statuses. The authors concluded that even in the absence of clinical signs poor iron status is associated with lower cognitive function and that this has important implications for educational achievement. If low iron status persists into early reproductive years there is an increased risk of low birth weight, stillbirths, and preterm delivery.5 Sports training–especially endurance training–and competitions or events spanning several days affect haemoglobin concentration and iron profile. Endurance training can expand plasma volume by as much as 10-20% diluting haemoglobin and serum ferritin. This can be misinterpreted as iron deficiency and anaemia in some athletes. Also, many athletes eat a modified vegetarian diet to keep their d
