Iron regulation and absorption in athletes : contemporary thinking and recommendations

Journal article


Peeling, Peter and McKay, Alannah Kelli Anique. (2023). Iron regulation and absorption in athletes : contemporary thinking and recommendations. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care. 26(6), pp. 551-556. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCO.0000000000000966
AuthorsPeeling, Peter and McKay, Alannah Kelli Anique
Abstract

Purpose of review: This review examines recent developments in our understanding of iron regulation/absorption around exercise, with specific attention paid towards the female athlete.

Recent findings: Building on the well accepted knowledge that hepcidin concentrations increase in the 3–6 h period following an acute bout of exercise, recent studies have shown that this links to a reduced fractional iron absorption from the gut during feedings provided 2 h postexercise. Further, a window of enhanced iron absorption has recently been identified to occur 30 min either side of exercise commencement/completion, which allows for strategic iron intake to optimize absorption around exercise. Finally, there is burgeoning evidence to show that iron status and iron regulation change throughout the menstrual cycle and with hormonal contraceptive use, which could have implications for iron status in female athletes.

Summary: Exercise can affect iron regulatory hormone activity, which subsequently impairs iron absorption, potentially contributing to the high rates of iron deficiency seen in athletes. Future research should continue to examine strategies to optimize iron absorption, with consideration to the timing, mode and intensity of exercise, the time of day, and in females, the menstrual cycle/menstrual status.

Keywordsexercise; female athlete; hepcidin; iron deficiency
Year01 Jan 2023
JournalCurrent Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care
Journal citation26 (6), pp. 551-556
PublisherLippincott Williams & Wilkins
ISSN1473-6519
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1097/MCO.0000000000000966
Web address (URL)https://journals.lww.com/co-clinicalnutrition/fulltext/2023/11000/iron_regulation_and_absorption_in_athletes_.11.aspx
Open accessPublished as non-open access
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range551-556
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Output statusPublished
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PrintNov 2023
Publication process dates
Accepted2023
Deposited10 Jun 2024
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Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Place of publicationUnited States
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