Iron is one of the most important nutrients in an infant’s diet. It is also a main component of prenatal vitamins to ensure both expecting women and their baby receive adequate amounts. Our bodies need iron to make hemoglobin, which is essential for carrying oxygen to all of our cells. Hemoglobin is also what gives blood its bright red color.
Without enough iron, our cells become small and pale- a condition known as anemia. Babies and young children need iron to help their brains develop normally. One of the main reasons infants and children need iron is because they are growing more rapidly than at any other developmental stage. During this rapid growth, however, is also the time when a baby’s iron reserves become depleted. Without iron reserves, it becomes imperative for infants to receive iron from the diet.
Iron absorption from breast milk is much greater than that of infant formula. Babies can use up to 50% of the iron in breast milk, whereas absorption from formula is about 12%.
Researchers from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in conjunction with Cornell University set out to find ways to increase infants’ iron uptake.
In the new research study, the team put chicken liver and beef in a blender to reduce the samples to small, uniform particles. Because of their size and consistency, these particles can serve as a source of supplemental dietary iron for babies as they are even distributed in cereal. Blending time also played a key role in iron absorption, as pureeing the meats for 6 minutes, as opposed to 60 seconds, doubled iron absorption rates.
Infantile iron deficiency anemia affects up to one-third of global populous. Infants and children in developing countries are particularly susceptible to iron deficiency because the foods available are often poor sources of iron and absorption rates are low. Regular check ups with your physician can ensure your baby’s diet is on the right track and they are consuming adequate amounts of iron. For more information on iron and infants, visit Wholesome Baby Food.
Resource:
US Department of Agriculture (2008, March 24). Increasing Iron Uptake In Infants. ScienceDaily.
Tags: anemia
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