Role of Iron Supplementation in Reducing Severity of Depression: A Review

Iron Supplementation in Reducing Severity of Depression

Abstract

Depression is a public health disorder, ranking third after respiratory and cardiac diseases. There were many evidences that iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the foremost causes regarding nutritional point
of view for depression. We reviewed these evidences that IDAlinking to depression. We identified seventeen studies in four databases including randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies assessing the impact of IDAand iron supplementation on the risk of depression. We extracted data on the basis of sample size, geographical region, measures of depression, hemoglobin, iron levels and intake of iron supplementation and critically appraised the results from the studies. Eleven out of sixty one studies were experimental, which indicated that dietary supplementation particularly iron supplementation had an association (r − 0.19 to −0.43 and ORs 1.70–4.64) with severity of depression. Evidences showed that women of reproductive age were more vulnerable to iron deficiency anemia than other population. Low ferritin and low hemoglobin level were associated with severity of depression. Iron is an essential nutrient for all living creatures, as a cofactor of various enzymes and plays significant role in environmental stimulant for the articulation of numerous virulence factors. Many clinical problems are caused by iron deficiency. Therefore, this review intended to highlight the important role of iron supplementation in reducing the severity of depression.