RV: Iron in infant formula
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 5:41 am
Dear Maria
These are the reasons the labs proclaim (I extracted them from an article
about microencapsulated ferrous sulfate):
Iron deficiency is the most important nutritional problem all over the
world.
Milk is an attractive vehicle for iron fortification since it is accessible
to the whole population and easy to be given to children.
When diet does not satisfy the iron requirements, nutritional deficiency of
this element may occur, causing iron-deficiency anemia.
The potential health consequences for the population include the following:
during pregnancy: rise in premature births, and in severe circumstances
mother and fetal death
in children: an irreversible decrease of intellectual and psychomotor
development
in adults: a decrease in the psychomotor and intellectual performance
affecting work capacity an productivity
As you see is not hazard that they have chosen milk for their purpose.
In this mechanic reasoning (if lacks iron then we have to give iron)
they forget that many times is not a problem of iron availability but
impeded absortion, so you see people treated for anemia for years
with no result.
The 5 month physiologic anemia is another phantom that they want
to avoid giving iron and producing colics, vomits and so on.
Sad to hear that in USA is difficult to find formulas without iron, here
by the moment we have the option: with or without iron.
I hope it clarifies a bit
Best
Guillermo
These are the reasons the labs proclaim (I extracted them from an article
about microencapsulated ferrous sulfate):
Iron deficiency is the most important nutritional problem all over the
world.
Milk is an attractive vehicle for iron fortification since it is accessible
to the whole population and easy to be given to children.
When diet does not satisfy the iron requirements, nutritional deficiency of
this element may occur, causing iron-deficiency anemia.
The potential health consequences for the population include the following:
during pregnancy: rise in premature births, and in severe circumstances
mother and fetal death
in children: an irreversible decrease of intellectual and psychomotor
development
in adults: a decrease in the psychomotor and intellectual performance
affecting work capacity an productivity
As you see is not hazard that they have chosen milk for their purpose.
In this mechanic reasoning (if lacks iron then we have to give iron)
they forget that many times is not a problem of iron availability but
impeded absortion, so you see people treated for anemia for years
with no result.
The 5 month physiologic anemia is another phantom that they want
to avoid giving iron and producing colics, vomits and so on.
Sad to hear that in USA is difficult to find formulas without iron, here
by the moment we have the option: with or without iron.
I hope it clarifies a bit
Best
Guillermo