You might want to think twice before reaching for that iron-fortified breakfast cereal. Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina have completed a study that raises concerns about the benefit of eating iron-rich foods, especially if your blood level of iron is already high.

The study looked closely at people with a specific indicator of iron overload in their blood. They found that those with high levels of a substance called serum transferrin saturation -- a known indicator of cancer risk -- and who also consumed a diet high in iron, had an increased risk of cancer and death from cancer. Physicians consider a serum transferrin saturation level of 60 percent an indication of an elevated risk of cancer. A normal test result is considered anywhere from 20 to 50 percent.

But in the South Carolina study, investigators tried to find out whether people who had normal transferrin saturation test results, but who ate a diet rich in iron, would also be at increased risk of cancer. The answer is yes. The research indicated that those with a transferrin saturation of 45 percent who ate more than 18 mg of iron each day have 2.24 times greater risk of cancer than those who have a normal levels of transferrin saturation and ate a diet low in iron.

Having an elevated transferrin saturation level of 45 percent by itself did not put a person at an increased risk for cancer, the study found; only those who also consumed a diet high in iron carried that risk. Also, eating a diet rich in iron does not elevate one's transferrin saturation levels.

The study noted that 7 percent of adults in the United States have transferrin saturation levels of 45 percent or higher. That means that there are quite a few people out there who may need to keep a close eye on how much extra iron they're getting in those "fortified" foods that line grocery store shelves these days. If you're not sure what your transferrin saturation level is, talk to your doctor about having it tested.

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 Multiple choice

Q: I know I should be taking a multivitamin, but the health food store I go to has a whole aisle devoted just to various brands of multis. With all the options, I'm not exactly sure where to start. How can I find the best one?

JVW: We all strive for that magic pill, one that will do everything for us and give us everything we specifically require. But we're all individuals with our own particular needs. So a proper supplementation program needs to be tailored to you individually, and the best way to do that is to consult with a doctor who is skilled in natural medicine.

Your doctor can guide you through the myriad of choices, ensuring that you don't waste your money or efforts on supplements that may be harmful to you or that your body doesn't need.

Once you have this advice, be sure to check the labels of any supplement you are buying carefully for information about the amounts of vitamins and minerals in a particular product. Don't be in a rush when purchasing. It may take a few moments of careful reading to get a handle on all the different offerings out there. But armed with your doctor's suggestions and some patience, your selection should be a perfect fit.

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What is...transferrin saturation?

Transferrin is a protein in the blood that binds to iron. As red blood cells die, their iron is released and carried by transferrin to the bone marrow where it is stored and then used to make new red blood cells. A transferrin saturation test measures the percentage of sites on the protein transferrin that have iron bound to them.

Yours in good health,
Amanda Ross
Managing Editor
Nutrition & Healing

Source:

Mainous A, et al. "Transferrin saturation, dietary iron intake, and risk of cancer." Annals of Family Medicine 2005; 3:131-137