A study by researchers at Columbia University in the U.S. revealed a hidden risk caused by iron deficiency in the body. The study found that a diet low in iron can weaken the ability of immune cells to fight respiratory infections, and this effect persists even after iron levels return to normal.
اضافة اعلان
In the study, researchers fed laboratory mice an iron-deficient diet and then exposed them to the influenza virus. They discovered that T cells in the lungs of these mice appeared normal and formed memory cells, but failed to produce interferon-gamma, a key antiviral signal. Importantly, this immune dysfunction persisted even after iron was reintroduced into the mice’s diet.
The researchers also noted that immune cells in lung tissue lost their ability to respond to the virus when the animals were deprived of iron, while other parts of the immune system continued to function normally. This may explain why iron deficiency is associated with increased susceptibility to respiratory viruses and a higher risk of asthma.
The study authors emphasized that iron-deficiency anemia is one of the most common nutritional disorders worldwide, particularly among women and children. Their findings may help in understanding its effect on lung T cells and guide new dietary and medical strategies to strengthen immunity and prevent viral diseases.
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