Abstract
Almost entire segment of expecting and breastfeeding mothers in Pakistan are severely affected by iron deficiency anemia (IDA) with predictable prevalence of 50% and as severe public health problem in lactating mothers, has worldwide pervasiveness. Commonly used synthetic iron sources provoke complications. Thus, food sources are preferred due to high bioavailability and sustainability. The present study was done on various natural and synthetic iron sources evaluated for proximate composition, mineral matter, sensory attributes and storage stability. The treatments were fed for 90 days and their efficacy was tested among anemic lactating women. The blood samples of 862 women were taken to examine their hemoglobin level and pertinent biomarkers. Hence, 37.00% volunteers were found to be anemic (Hb < 11 g/dL) and 67.71% women showed IDA problem. Finally, 200 volunteers were strewn arbitrarily into 4 groups. All treatments provided 50% RDA of iron. Dietary intakes and biochemical investigations of T2 group showed momentous improvement (P < 0.05) while linear variations were recorded in anthropometrics, liver function tests (LFTs) and renal function tests (RFTs). Study revealed that food iron sources are easily accessible, cheaper, safe and has more bioavailable iron in skirmishing IDA among lactating women on sustained basis.
Keywords:
food iron; synthetic source; lactating women; IDA
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