While iron supplementation can be an effective intervention for anemia, it can also be harmful to those with additional infections, because pathogens feed off of the iron. Oral iron supplements release iron rapidly in the gut and can cause dangerous side effects such as diarrhea or constipation. To combat these adverse effects, researchers at University of Cambridge have developed IHAT (iron hydroxide adipate tartrate) – a slow-release iron supplement that mimics the forms of iron found in food. This new supplement, currently undergoing a clinical trial in Gambia, may offer a safer option for treating iron deficiency and anemia.
University Of Cambridge, February 2017