Iron may worsening inflammatory bowel disease – (07-07-00)

Iron may worsening inflammatory bowel disease

This becomes a catch-22 because many patients with IBD are enemic. It may be possible to use a higher quality iron supplement so absorption is better and no iron will make it into the large intestine.

European Journal of Clinical Investigation 30 (6), 505-510 Iron supplements may increase disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease through the production of the hydroxyl radical. Oral as well as rectal administration of iron resulted in increased pro-inflammatory cytokine production in IL-10-/- mice. We conclude that dietary or topical administered iron increases pro-inflammatory cytokine production in the colon of IL10-/- mice. No significant increase of histological intestinal inflammation was observed.