Brazilian researchers report that taking zinc along with iron supplements may protect against unwanted impairment of the body’s antioxidant status due to iron intake. In a study involving 18 women aged 22-31 years taking iron supplements, researchers found that concomitant supplementation with zinc exerted a protective effect against iron supplementation-induced antioxidant status impairment. For a period of 8 weeks, subjects were supplemented with iron (50 mg/d). For another 8 weeks, subjects were supplemented with iron (50 mg/d) and zinc (25 mg/d). Antioxidant status was impaired following the iron supplementation period. However, zinc plus iron supplementation returned the antioxidant status to healthy levels. Additionally, iron and zinc supplementation did not affect indicators of iron status but increased serum and urinary zinc.
Source: J Nutr, 2008; 138(11): 2186-9
