Dietary Iron Intake in Nigeria

Iron is an important mineral nutrient necessary for the synthesis of haemoglobin and enzymes such as haeme enzymes in the body [1]. Iron is also necessary for the formation of myoglobin, which is the oxygen carrying pigment in the muscle cell, thus, Iron is necessary for the transport of oxygen round the body [2]. Food sources rich in Iron include meat, whole grain cereals, liver, fish, green leafy vegetables, nuts and pulses.

Iron requirements in human beings

Table 1: Recommended daily allowance (rda) of iron for healthy individuals Iom/Fnb 2001.

The first requirements for iron in humans are met adequately by the breast-milk, however, human needs for iron increases remarkably after 4-6 months of birth to about 0.7 - 0.9mg/day [3]. The Daily Reference Intake (DRI) provides recommendations for intake of iron and other nutrients. The DRI refers to a set of values used for planning and assessing nutrient intakes of healthy people [4]. These values, one of which is the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA), vary by age and gender. The RDA is an average daily level of intake sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97% - 98%) healthy individuals [4]. Below Table 1 lists the RDA of iron for healthy individuals.

Iron metabolism

Forms, absorption and bioavailability: There are two forms of dietary iron, haeme and non-haeme [5]. Haeme iron are primarily sourced from haemoglobin and myoglobin obtained from consuming foods such as meat, poultry and fish; non-haeme however is sourced from milk, eggs, legumes, pulses, cereals, fruits and vegetables. Only a fraction of the ingested iron is available for absorption by the body and this depends on the type of iron consumed [6]. The bioavailability of haeme iron is high (15%-35%), with other dietary factors having little effect on its absorption [7]; however, non-haeme iron are less bio-available (2%-20%) and its absorption is highly affected by other dietary factors [5]. Below Figure 1 shows a simple iron absorption pathway.

Figure 1 Simple iron absorption pathway.

Iron absorption takes place in the duodenum and upper jejunum [8]. As described by Abbaspour et al. [2], Divalent Metal Transporter 1 (DMT 1) helps with the transfer of iron across epithelial cells. Iron within the enterocyte is released into the bloodstream via ferroportin (a transmembrane protein that exports iron from cells); the glycoprotein, transferring and then binds the iron in the bloodstream from where it is transported to the cells or bone marrow for erythropoiesis - the production of red blood cells [9]. Iron absorption in the duodenum is greatly influenced by the physical state of the iron entering the duodenum. At the physiological pH of 7.4, ferrous iron (Fe+2) is rapidly oxidised to the insoluble ferric form (Fe+3). The pH of the proximal duodenum is however lower due to the presence of gastric acid, this in turn reduces Fe+3 in the intestinal lumen by ferric reductases. This reduction allows the transport of Fe+2 across the apical membrane of enterocytes and this process enhance the solubility and uptake of ferric iron [10]. Absorbed iron is mostly used by the bone marrow for erythropoiesis [11].

Consuming vitamin C rich foods such as fruits can significantly increase the absorption and assimilation of non-haeme iron by the body [12]. Also, eating sources of haeme iron such as fish, chicken, liver and meat alongside non-haeme iron foods can help increase the absorption of non-haeme iron body [5]. Food sources that inhibit the absorption of iron include tannins found in coffee and tea, phytic acid, polyphenols, calcium and peptides obtained from partially digested protein. Despite its low bioavailability, nonhaeme iron contributes more to iron nutrition than haeme iron because the quantity of non-haeme iron is usually more than that of haeme iron in most people’s meals [13] (Table 2).

Table 2: factors that could influence iron absorption Abbaspour et al. [2].

Iron storage, regulation and loss in the body

The iron content stored by an average adult in the body is about 1 - 3 grams. Iron is stored in insoluble forms in the liver, spleen and bone marrow [14]. Most of the Iron in the body is usually bound to the iron-binding protein-Ferritin [9]. About 10-20% of the absorbed iron also goes into a storage pool which is also later recycled for erythropoiesis. In the laboratory, testing for serum ferritin concentration is the most convenient way to estimate iron levels in the body as serum ferritin concentrations correlates well with total iron stores in the body under stable conditions [15].

Iron homeostasis is regulated at the point of absorption as there is no defined mechanism for excretion of iron from the body [16]. Hepcidine, a circulating hormone produced by the liver, plays an important role in the regulation of iron homeostasis. Hepcidine binds to ferroportin, macrophages and cells of the placenta; this binding results in the degradation of ferroportin from the cell surface. This in turn leads to a decrease in the absorption of dietary iron and also a decrease in the release of recycled iron from macrophage stores [16,17] . Studies from mouse models show that lack of hepcidine expression in the mice studied led to iron overload, while over-expression of hepcidine in the mice led to iron deficiency anaemia - IDA [16]. The production of hepcidine by the liver is however regulated in response to various physiological stimuli. The expression of hepcidine is induced by iron loading, leading to a limit in iron uptake from the diet, while the expression of hepcidine is repressed by anaemia and hypoxia, leading to increased iron availability for erythropoiesis [16,18]. Inflammations due to disease conditions can also increase hepcidine level in the body [18].

Iron is lost daily from the body due to basal losses and other factors. Basal losses include losses through the skin, urine and stool - this account for about 1mg of iron loss per day [19]. Premenopausal women also lose about 2mg of iron daily during menstruation [20]. Adequate dietary intake is therefore required to replace the iron lost and maintain optimal iron balance in the body.

Iron deficiency and overload

Iron overload is caused by excessive deposition of iron in the organs and tissues of the body. This result in a condition known as haemochromatosis [21]; haemochromatosis can in turn lead to Hepato Cellular Carcinoma (HCC), liver damage and death [22]. The main mechanism of liver injury in haemochromatosis is through oxidative stress, which involves the production of iron catalysed oxyradicals [23]. Conditions such as high alcohol intake increases ox radicals, and as such, may accelerate the development of liver failure in patients with haemochromatosis [24]. In the presence of anaemia, iron overload is usually caused by multiple blood transfusions.

On the other hand, Iron deficiency is defined as “a condition in which there are no mobilisable iron stores and in which signs of a compromised supply of iron to tissues, including the erythron, are noted” [25]. Iron deficiency occurs when metabolic demands for sustenance of growth and replacement of iron loss, primarily through blood loss, outweighs absorption of iron. This results in depletion of iron stores in the body [14]. Primary causes of iron deficiency include increased requirements during pregnancy, infancy and menstruation; low intake of bio-available iron; and excessive blood loss from pathological infections such as helminths infection [26]. There is also the case of physiological requirements not being met by absorption from diet, this result in nutritional iron deficiency [27]. Groups at risk of iron deficiency include children and adolescents, due to growth; women of reproductive age, due to menstruation and pregnancy; frequent blood donors and people with cancer [28-31]. Post menopausal women and adult men are usually at low risk of iron deficiency as their dietary intake can normally cover for their iron requirements. Out of the 10 preventable risks for diseases, disability and death, that altogether account for 40% of the 56 million annual global deaths, iron deficiency is ranked 7th; Iron deficiency is estimated to affect 2 billion people worldwide, with most of them living in developing countries [32].

Iron deficiency can exist with or without anaemia [2]. Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) occurs when Iron intake is limited or inadequate due to poor diets. Stomach ulcers and other forms of slow, chronic bleeding, for example, haemorrhoids can also lead to iron deficiency anaemia [33]. IDA reduces physical activity and decreases individual work performance because of reduced transportation of oxygen from lungs to the tissues [34]. IDA has huge impacts on national economy in countries where the burden of the disease is high; this is because IDA reduces productivity and earnings and also because the cost of intervention could be high [35]. IDA, co-existing with other forms of malnutrition, is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children. IDA among children reduces cognitive ability, increases risk of childhood illnesses and reduces physical activity [36]. Among reproductive women, IDA increases the risk of pregnancy complications, resulting in some negative outcomes like premature birth and low birth weight [37]. IDA is estimated to affect about 1.62 billion people worldwide [7].

Elemental iron: uses and health implications

The earth’s crust contains about 5% iron, making it the second most abundant metal in the crust [38]. However, iron does not usually occur as a free element in nature. Rather, it is usually found in its combined forms as oxides, hydroxides, carbonates and sulphides [39]. The most common form is the oxides, which is formed when iron combines with oxygen in the presence of moist air. The resulting ore, iron oxide, is also known as rust. Compounds of iron are found in the ferric or ferrous forms. Compounds such as ferric phosphates are used as food additives, while ferrous gluconates are used as dietary supplements. Ferric chloride and ferrous sulphate are used for water treatment and purification. Iron can also be combined with carbon and other metals to produce steel which is usually used in construction of materials such as water pipes, cooking pots, and tableware.

Anaerobic ground water, when directly fetched from a well, may contain iron in concentrations as high as 0.5-10mg/litre; drinking from such water has not been shown to be hazardous to human health [38]. However, for community pipe-borne water, iron concentrations are usually kept below 0.3 mg/litre. Where ironpipes are used for distribution however, at concentrations above 0.05-0.1mg/litre, water discolouration from rusted iron pipes may start to occur and at concentrations above 0.3mg/litre, the water will start to taste metallic [38]. Such water may also contain sediments. These sediments have been shown to contain impurities and harbour bacteria. Iron bacteria produce brown, slimy coats in water distribution pipes and they can be harmful to human health [40]. Small amounts of iron can also be ingested from cooking with iron pots. Ingestion of iron from these non-food sources can be beneficial to human health in that it adds small amounts of iron to the diet and can help alleviate some iron deficiency symptoms [41]. However, these should not be depended on as the main iron source for the body.

Iron deficiency is among the leading micronutrient deficiency in Nigeria. Few studies are however available on the current iron status of the country. The Nigeria Food Consumption Survey (NFCS) conducted in 2003, which highlights the prevalence of iron deficiency among different age groups and different geographical regions in Nigeria, has been shown to be the only nationally representative survey providing data on the prevalence of iron deficiency in Nigeria. Based on serum ferritin concentrations, iron deficiency in Nigeria was determined in the NFCS using the cut-off values given in the (Table 3) [42].

Table 3: Cut-off values for determining iron deficiency Maziya-Dixon et al. [42].

Figure 2 Profile of national iron stores in children less han 5 years Maziya-Dixon et al. [42].

Among mothers and pregnant women, the NFCS reported iron deficiency of 12.7% and 19.9% respectively [42]; 63.2% of mothers were within the normal serum ferritin range, while 52.4% of pregnant women were within the normal ferritin range. Iron overload was more prevalent among pregnant women (1.9%), compared to non-pregnant women (0.8%) (Figure 3)[42].

Other studies on prevalence of iron deficiency and anaemia among pregnant women in Nigeria have also been conducted [47]. Reported iron deficiency of 75.6% among pregnant women in Zaria, Kaduna State, North-Central Nigeria, while among non-pregnant women in the same group, iron deficiency was found to be 25.6%. Among the pregnant subjects, 63.6% had IDA, while 36.4% had anaemia due to other causes. This is similar with a study conducted by [48] who reported IDA prevalence of 62.2% among pregnant women in Rivers State, South-South Nigeria. In Sokoto state, North- West Nigeria, [49] reported that IDA prevalence was 21.3% among pregnant women.

Table 4: Prevalence of anaemia among school-age children by age Ayogu et al. [45].

In a developing country like Nigeria, the cause of maternal iron deficiency and anaemia In pregnancy are usually multifaceted, with causes ranging from inadequate intake of iron and folate to presence of parasitic infections from helminths and malaria and in addition, human immunodeficiency virus [50].

Interventions for addressing iron deficiency

As stated earlier, iron deficiency affects billions of people globally, particularly in developing countries, with causes ranging from blood losses during menstruation and child birth to episodes of parasitic infection and other illnesses. Thus, various strategies have been employed to combat this scourge. These include control of parasitic infections through de-worming and iron supplementation, especially during pregnancy. According to the Demography and Health survey conducted in Nigeria in 2013 [51], close to 40% of all the women in the different age ranges surveyed indicated that they did not take any iron supplement during their last pregnancy, while only 10% in the different age ranges stated that they took a de-worming medication during their last pregnancy. Statistics such as this goes a long way in showing reasons why prevalence of iron deficiency is still relatively high in Nigeria. More advocacy and health promotion strategies will be needed by the government to combat iron deficiency.

Other interventions to address iron deficiency include food diversification/nutrition education, iron fortification and bio fortification.

Dietary diversity and nutrition education

The use of dietary diversification for combating iron deficiency involves promotion of the consumption of iron-rich foods, particularly fleshy foods; promotion of consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C to increase absorption of iron from non-heame sources; and reduction in the consumption of iron absorption inhibiting foods, particularly alongside iron-rich food sources. (Table 4) below shows some Nigerian traditional meals rich in iron. Mothers and care-givers should be educated and encouraged to prepare these iron-rich meals as part of their home cooking. Families can also be educated on owning subsistence farms/home gardens where they can grow iron-rich food crops for their immediate family and rear animals like chicken or goats to supply meat and eggs. In rural Nigeria communities, it is actually not out of place to see such subsistence farms already in place; however, it is often the case that household heads usually sell these food products to raise money for other family needs, which may include paying hospital bills for the treatment of iron-deficiency related illnesses. This is usually as a result of poverty which is almost always the underlying cause of poor dietary choices among this population. It is therefore, imperative that the government should introduce poverty alleviation programmes which would improve the economy of these people while encouraging consumption of products from homestead gardens/farms through public health advocacy and nutrition education in a bid to reduce risk of illnesses due to iron deficiency.

Education on food processing methods that would help make iron easily bio available from consumed foods should also be considered. Such food processing methods include food fermentation and germination techniques and pre-cooking of some vegetables before consumption (Table 4) [52].

Iron fortification

Iron fortification of basic foods is perhaps the most economical and most convenient strategy to combating micronutrient deficiency, particularly as it does not require consumers to modify their food habits. However, food fortification might as well pose a difficulty when choosing the appropriate iron compound as the fortificant as well as the food vehicle. Iron compounds with high bioavailability are soluble in water and acid but often react with food components to change the organoleptic properties of the food - this may result in consumers rejecting the food [53]. Because of this, less soluble forms of iron, which are also less absorbed, are often used for iron fortification of food to avoid changes in the sensory characteristics. Generally, the factors that need to be considered for an iron fortificant include solubility, interaction with the food vehicle, bioavailability and cost [54].

In Nigeria, the national campaign for fortification of foods started since the 90‘s. Most of our traditional foods are iron-rich, however a lot of these are lost during food processing and thus, calling for the addition of fortificants to our food sources is necessary. Food products which are being fortified with iron in Nigeria include dairy products, cocoa, cereals and flour, noodles and so on. However, the most common food vehicle for iron fortification in Nigeria is wheat flour. Pockets of producers also fortify rice, but this is not available in large scale-fortifying a product like rice, which is a Nigeria staple, will go a long way in reducing iron deficiency. More government effort is needed in this area, especially as production and consumption of locally made rice is being promoted by the government with the ban on importation of rice.

Biofortification

According to the World Health Organisation, bio fortification involves increasing the nutritional qualities of food through agronomic practices, conventional plant breeding, or modern technology. With bio fortification, nutrient levels of food are increased during plant growth unlike the conventional fortification in which nutrients are added during food processing. Food crops such as beans, cassava and millet have been successfully bio fortified with iron. According to Nguema et al. [55] iron bio fortified cassava is estimated to reduce disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost due to health problems by 6%. In developing countries, bio fortification presents an easier and a more affordable way to reach people living in the rural areas, who are mainly farmers, through agro-extension services like seed-sharing [56-58] (Table 5).

Table 5: Micronutrient-rich traditional nigerian food dishes Okeke et al. [52].

Iron is one of the highly important micronutrients. Its deficiency in the body will lead to suboptimal pregnancy outcomes in women, delayed mental and motor development in children, and reduced work capacity with negative impacts on the national economy due to diseases, disability and death. Various strategies are being employed to address iron deficiency; these include iron supplementation, de-worming, dietary diversification, iron fortification and bio fortification of food crops, each with their varying degrees of success. A combination of these strategies, as part of an integrated approach iron deficiency program will definitely go a long way in reducing prevalence of iron deficiency, including IDA, in the Nigerian population. More research is however needed in the development of iron-rich food products, particularly to improve consumption and bioavailability of iron, and in turn reduce negative health outcomes due to iron deficiency, for the benefit of Nigeria and the world at large.

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