Does iron deficiency cause weight gain?

From the Research

Iron Deficiency and Weight Gain

• Iron deficiency has been linked to obesity and weight gain in several studies 1, 2, 3, 4
• However, the relationship between iron deficiency and weight gain is complex and bidirectional 1, 4
• Some studies suggest that iron deficiency may contribute to weight gain by impairing mitochondrial and cellular energy homeostasis, leading to increased fatigue and inactivity 1, 2
• On the other hand, treatment of iron deficiency anemia has been shown to induce weight loss and improve metabolic parameters in some studies 5

Mechanisms Underlying the Relationship

• Obesity-related inflammation may play a central role in the development of iron deficiency by regulating hepcidin levels and impairing iron absorption 1, 4
• Hyperferritinemia with normal or mildly elevated transferrin saturation is observed in approximately one-third of patients with metabolic syndrome or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which may contribute to the development of iron deficiency 1
• Iron supplementation has been shown to regulate the progression of high-fat diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis via mitochondrial signaling pathways 2

Prevalence of Iron Deficiency in Obesity

• The prevalence of iron deficiency and anemia is higher in women with obesity compared to those with normal weight 3
• The choice of iron indices is important for estimating iron deficiency and anemia in populations with obesity 3