Iron-deficiency anemia is a widespread health problem that often leads to fatigue, headaches, or even cravings for ice. Traditional oral iron supplements can help, but they often leave behind unabsorbed iron that irritates the digestive tract and triggers inflammation. Researchers reporting in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces have developed a new type of supplement that blends iron with prebiotics and probiotics. In animal studies, this innovative formula successfully restored healthy blood iron levels in anemic mice while preventing inflammation and keeping the gut microbiome balanced.
“By advancing biomaterial-based iron delivery, this research offers a transformative approach to address anemia, directly contributing to improved nutrition and long-term public health,” explains Poonam Sagar, an author of the study.
Anemia develops when the body lacks enough red blood cells to transport oxygen efficiently. It can result from infections, inherited conditions, or, most commonly, a shortage of dietary iron. Doctors typically prescribe oral iron tablets to treat the condition. However, the body absorbs only a small fraction of the iron they contain. The remaining iron can upset the balance of gut bacteria and cause inflammation, which is why probiotics are sometimes prescribed alongside iron to protect digestive health.
In earlier research, scientists had already tried combining iron with probiotics. Sagar, Nitin Kumar Singhal, and their team expanded on this concept by adding prebiotics (nutrients that feed beneficial bacteria) to create a three-part supplement designed to be more effective and gentler on the gut.
The new formulation combines dietary fiber extracted from millet (a grain), the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and an iron-containing complex. The researchers first tested the supplement’s compatibility with human cells, then evaluated its effects in mice with iron-deficiency anemia. After two weeks, the treated mice showed:
- Restored hemoglobin levels (the main iron-rich molecule in red blood cells).
- Iron excretion levels similar to healthy control mice, showing improved absorption.
- Increased activity of genes involved in iron transport and metabolism.
- Very low signs of inflammation in the colon.
- A recovery of beneficial gut bacteria populations that had been depleted by anemia.
While more research is needed, the team believes this approach could lead to a new generation of iron supplements that restore iron safely, improve gut health, and reduce unwanted side effects.
The study received support from the Ministry of Science and Technology of India and the National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute.