Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most common nutritional disorder, and since the iron content of the diet is relatively stable and it is difficult to increase dietary iron intake, supplements are used for treatment. Studies have reported the concomitant effect of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in increase of iron content and reduction sensitivity to oxidants. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of iron supplementation alone and in combination with DHA on indices of iron deficiency anemia in women with iron deficiency anemia.

Methods: In a double-blind clinical trial, 76 women aged 15-45 years randomly divided into two groups, df (receiving 500 mg DHA + one tablet of ferrous sulfate containing 50-mg of elemental Iron) and pf (receiving placebo containing 500 mg corn oil + one tablet of ferrous sulfate, 50 mg of elemental iron). Before and after 12 weeks, fasting blood samples were taken from both groups and blood indices were measured.

Results: After intervention, the levels of hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), the percentage of hematocrit (HCT), serum iron, in both groups compared with baseline, significantly increased. Total iron-binding capacity was significantly reduced in both groups. Mean corpusclar volume (MCV) level was significantly increased only in df and increase of Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) in any of the groups was not significant. Average change of these parameters between the two groups was not significant.

Conclusion: DHA supplementation does not effect on blood indices of iron anemia.