University of Bedfordshire iron expert Dr Sebastien Farnaud is part of collaborative project, based at the University of Westminster, which is proposing a solution to increase iron-uptake in the body.

Current treatments and medications result in iron being trapped in the gut.

This is because the iron in these medications is not properly absorbed. The iron remains in the gut and causes a wide range of side-effects such as stomach upset, constipation, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting.

Therefore, iron treatments have not only low efficiency but also very poor compliance with many people not taking their medication due to side effects.

However a project team, led by Dr Derek Renshaw and Dr M. Gulrez Zariwala at Westminster, has created an iron-Vitamin C capsule to help prevent these issues.

This work – done collaboratively with Dr Satyanarayana Somavarapu from University College London School of Pharmacy – has considerable potential for nutritional and pharmaceutical applications across the world.

Dr Farnaud (above), a Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry at the University of Bedfordshire and an international expert in iron metabolism, said: “Essentially what we have done is to trick the gut by wrapping the iron in a capsule so that more iron should be absorbed and without causing side effects in the gut. The results, obtained in vitro using human intestinal cells, demonstrate significantly higher iron absorption into the blood than any other commercially available iron supplement.”

The science behind the capsules:

• To improve iron absorption, a stable form of Vitamin C with improved stability profile (named ascorbyl palmitate), is used to encapsulate the iron (iron salt ferrous sulphate) in a protective shell and to improve its absorption.
• The iron is encapsulated into these nano-sized Vitamin C capsules by using a natural bioadhesive (glue) material (named chitosan), which not only strengthens the capsules but also further improves the absorption characteristics.

Although further human studies are required for validation, the work is showing an “exciting” and “innovative” approach to helping millions of people worldwide, who struggle with symptoms commonly including tiredness, lethargy, shortness of breath, slow cognitive and social development during childhood, decreased immune function and increased susceptibility to infection.

The research was published in the March issue of the journal ‘Colloids and Surfaces: Biointerfaces’.

Dr Farnaud said his next hope is to progress the work so that it is commercially available internationally.

Notes to Editor

• According to the World Health Organization, iron deficiency poses a significant global health challenge.
• To interview Dr Farnaud, contact the press office on 01582 743499.
• Photo shows Ascorbyl palmitate (AP) Nanocarriers