Optimizing iron adequacy and absorption to prevent iron deficiency anemia: The role of combination of fortified iron and vitamin C

Iron is a vital nutrient to promote the availability of tissue oxygen, cell growth and control differentiation, energy metabolism. Preventing Deficiency Anemia (IDA) necessary because iron central nervous system development especially in first years life. Iron-rich complementary foods are recommended infants around 6 months age store depleted. Better understanding absorption process factors affecting its bioavailability prevent deficiency can be dietary strategy mitigate deficiency. Meat iron-fortified food main sources diet, it essential introduce supplementary improve absorption. Additional such as cereals, cow milk soybeans phytate, polyphenol calcium inhibitors which require care IDA. Ascorbic acid an effective iron-absorbing enhancer, useful reduce effects any known nonheme inhibitor. In foods, Combination use vitamin C (ascorbic acid) molar ratio 2:1 (with cow's low-phytate cereal foods) higher 4:1 phytate soybeans).