More Iron May be Good for Memory

Previous studies indicate that insufficient amount of iron in the brain may have an adverse impact on metabolic processes and memory. Women of reproductive age are among the most vulnerable to iron deficiency. However, scientists have found that increasing one’s intake of iron may have beneficial effects on cognitive and behavioral functioning. This study examines the link between iron status and cognitive abilities in young women.

To determine the effect of  iron levels have on memory, a blinded, placebo-controlled, stratified intervention study was conducted in women aged 18–35 years of varied iron status who were randomly assigned to receive iron supplements or a placebo. Cognition was assessed by using 8 cognitive performance tasks.

Results showed at baseline, the iron-sufficient women performed better on cognitive tasks and completed them faster than did the women with iron deficiency anemia. Factors representing performance accuracy and the time needed to complete the tasks by the iron-deficient but nonanemic women were intermediate between the 2 extremes of iron status. After treatment, a dramatic improvement in iron was associated with a 5–7-fold improvement in cognitive performance. A significant improvement in hemoglobin was related to improved speed in completing the cognitive tasks.

Researchers concluded that iron status is an important factor in cognitive performance in women of reproductive age. Severity of anemia basically affects processing speed, and severity of iron deficiency affects accuracy of cognitive function over a broad range of tasks.1

References:
1. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 85, No. 3, 778-787, March 2007