Fortified Yogurt Containing Bifidobacterium and Iron Status in Adolescent Girls with Iron Deficiency: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22339482Keywords:
iron deficiency, adolescent girls, fortified yogurt, Bifidobacterium, iron bioavailabilityAbstract
Background: Iron deficiency is the leading micronutrient disorder among adolescent girls. Objective: This narrative review
synthesises evidence on iron-fortified yogurt co-formulated with Bifidobacterium for improving adolescent iron status. Methods:
We reviewed randomised trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and mechanistic studies of iron-fortified dairy and
probiotic-iron interactions via PubMed, Crossref, and Europe PMC. Findings: Iron-fortified yogurt improves haemoglobin and
ferritin; co-administered Bifidobacterium may further enhance absorption and tolerance, though effects vary by strain.
Conclusions: Fortified fermented dairy is a promising, low-burden adjunct to iron supplementation for adolescent girls,
warranting confirmatory trials.
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