Iron tablets may damage DNA

Conclusion This study showed that iron can induce a DNA damage response at a genetic level in isolated human endothelial cells in the laboratory. The study was early stage and packed with limitations and questions needing answers through further research. So it is not close to the stage where doctors need to change their approach to prescribing iron supplements. Similarly, this study is no reason to stop taking iron medication as prescribed, and stopping could be harmful. Keep calm and carry on. The fact iron causes a DNA repair response does not necessarily mean it causes damage or disease. It may stress the cell out, but if the DNA repair works, the cell will be fine. Many things cause cells to be stressed – too much heat, too few nutrients, infection with microbes, natural cell ageing – but not all cause problems or disease. So the link between the iron-related genetic changes and cell damage, or wider blood vessel damage, is yet to be made. There was also some debate about whether the iron levels used in this study would be equivalent to those found in people taking prescribed iron tablets, or were the same type of iron. And the fact people take many different doses of iron, for many different reasons, further complicates this picture. Studying the cells and blood vessel health of people taking a range of iron prescriptions for a range of reasons would be a useful next step for this research area. If you have been prescribed iron supplements then it is highly like...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Heart/lungs Medication Source Type: news