Iron deficiency can negatively impact performance, productivity and growth. It can also cause discomfort. We should consume foods that contain iron.
Ironic, a startup, is working to develop more bioavailable iron through precise fermentation. The company hopes to mitigate some of the negative health effects.
Iron is found in the protein globin, which is responsible for transporting oxygen throughout our bodies, Nelida Eriksson, CEO of Swedish biotech startup Ironic, told FoodNavigator. These proteins are found in the blood and muscles as hemoglobin or myoglobin.
Iron also helps maintain the function of proteins and biomolecules that are important in energy production, the immune system, and various other functions.
According to the NHS, foods that are naturally high in iron include red meat, dried fruit, beans and nuts.
What are the health effects of iron deficiency?
A person without iron can experience significant health effects. According to the NHS, people may experience tiredness or lack of energy, heart palpitations, shortness of breath or pale skin. Anaemia is one of the consequences of iron deficiency.
Anemia and iron deficiency can cause headaches, dizziness and fainting. Eriksson said a person with them may experience mental distress or depression.
It's not just these symptoms that are problematic. Women, children and the elderly are at risk for iron deficiency. According to Jeannine Baumgartner of the Department of Nutritional Sciences, women need more iron because they lose it during menstruation.
Eriksson claims that iron deficiency causes intellectual and physical retardation in children.
She also told us that iron deficiency is a major cause of the gender performance gap, and that iron-deficient mothers have a higher risk of giving birth to children with autism or ADHD.
The functional consequence of IDA has negative economic implications for society (motor and mental impairments in children and low work productivity in adults). Eriksson argues that the functional consequences of IDA have negative economic effects for society.
What is the process of producing bioavailable iron?
Ironic Biotech uses precision fermentation to produce iron. Eriksson explains that by using microorganisms, the company produces heme protein, which is commonly found in plants. However, it does so without iron absorption inhibitors.
Bioavailability depends on several factors. First, the iron must be organic, that is, it is bound to biomolecules such as proteins. Second, it must not contain inhibitors, as they can prevent its absorption by the body.
Eriksson says that a large amount of naturally occurring iron comes from animal-based foods. The iron in these food sources does not contain iron absorption inhibitors, which are found in plants. The startup avoided the problems caused by iron absorption inhibitors by using precision fermentation to produce heme protein, which is commonly found in plant-based foods.
We found similar levels of iron absorption when we compared the bioavailability of iron from Ironic iron proteins with iron proteins from animal foods. We can therefore conclude that the bioavailability of Ironic proteins is similar to that of iron proteins from animal foods.
Ironic proteins are ideal for enriching foods with iron, as they are naturally found in many vegetables. They also have a mild taste.
Our proteins can be added to foods because they are already found in vegetables. Our proteins have a low oxidation rate and are also tasteless, so they will not affect the flavor of your food or make it rancid.