Iron deficiency anemia induces postural control disorders in young women

Exploring the potential nutritional benefits of Arthrospira maxima and Chlorella vulgaris: A focus on vitamin B12, amino acids, and micronutrients

Arthrospira (Limnospira) maxima (A. maxima) and Chlorella vulgaris (Ch. vulgaris) are among the approved microalgae and cyanobacteria (MaC) in the food industry that are known to be safe for consumption. However, both organisms are controversial regarding their vitamin B12 content, due to the possible occurrence of pseudo-cobalamin. Concurrently, their nutrition profiles remain understudied. The main purpose of the present study was to identify their nutrition profiles, focusing mainly on vitamin B12, amino acids, and micronutrients under iron-induced hormesis (10 mg/L Fe in treated samples). Our findings indicate a higher B12 content in A. maxima compared to Ch. vulgaris (both control and treated samples). Using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), the cyanocobalamin content was determined as 0.42 ± 0.09 μg/g dried weight (DW) in the A. maxima control and 0.55 ± 0.02 μg/g DW in treated A. maxima, resulting in an insignificant difference. In addition, the iron-enriched medium increased the amount of iron in both tested biomasses (p < 0.01). However, a more pronounced (approximately 100×) boost was observed in Ch. vulgaris, indicating a better absorption capacity (control Ch. vulgaris 0.16 ± 0.01 mg/g Fe, treated Ch. vulgaris 15.40 ± 0.34 mg/g Fe). Additionally, Ch. vulgaris also showed a higher micronutrient content. Using both tested microalgae, meeting the sufficient recommended daily mineral allowance for an adult is possible. By combining biomass from A. maxima and Ch. vulgaris in a ratio of 6:1, we can fulfill the recommended daily allowance of vitamin B12 and iron by consuming 6 tablets/6 g. Importantly, iron hormesis stimulated amino acid composition in both organisms. The profile of amino acids may suggest these biomasses as promising potential nutrition sources.

Iron Deficiency Anemia Is Associated with Proprioceptive Deficit in Adult Women: a Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study

Proprioception is essential to several conscious and unconscious sensations and automatic control of movement in daily life activities. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) may alter proprioception as it could induce fatigue, and affect neural processes such as myelination, and neurotransmitters synthesis and degradation. This study aimed to explore the effect of IDA on proprioception in adult women. Thirty adult women with IDA and 30 controls participated in this study. The weight discrimination test was performed to assess proprioceptive acuity. Attentional capacity and fatigue were evaluated, too. Women with IDA had a significantly (P < 0.001) lower ability to discriminate weights compared to controls in the two difficult increments, and for the second easy weight (P < 0.01). For the heaviest weight, no significant difference was found. Attentional capacity and fatigue values were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in patients with IDA compared to controls. Moreover, moderate positive correlations between the representative proprioceptive acuity values and Hb (r = 0.68) and ferritin (r = 0.69) concentrations were found. Moderate negative correlations were found between the proprioceptive acuity values and general (r =  - 0.52), physical (r =  - 0.65) and mental (r =  - 0.46) fatigue scores, and attentional capacity (r =  - 0.52). Women with IDA had impaired proprioception compared to their healthy peers. This impairment may be related to neurological deficits due to the disruption of iron bioavailability in IDA. In addition, fatigue resulting from IDA due to the poor muscle oxygenation could also explain the proprioceptive acuity decrease in women suffering from IDA.