Effects of Energy Restriction and Intermittent Hypoxia on Iron Absorption in Obesity
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Summary
Declines in iron status are common in those with obesity and may be due to obesity-related chronic inflammation; however, the effects of reducing inflammation following diet-induced weight loss on iron metabolism are poorly understood. Low environmental oxygen exposure increases dietary iron absorption and availability to supply iron for erythropoiesis but has not yet been tested in the context of weight loss. This study is designed to investigate diet-induced weight loss (inflammation reduction) and overnight low oxygen exposure (erythropoiesis stimulating agent) as strategies to improve dietary iron absorption in obesity.
Description
Those with obesity are at increased risk for iron deficiency, which can worsen obesity-related comorbidities and add considerably to national health-care budgets. Declines in iron status in those with obesity may be due to adiposity-related inflammation. Adipokines, such as interleukin 6, increase hepcidin, an iron regulatory hormone secreted by the liver that functions to reduce iron absorption and iron availability. Elevated hepcidin and reduced dietary iron absorption may explain why those with obesity are more susceptible to iron deficiency and more resistant to treatment with iron supplem…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 22–65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Obese (BMI between 30-39.9 kg/m2) * Born at altitudes below 2,100 meters (\~7,000 feet) * Currently residing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana or surrounding area * Not taking any medication(s) that interfere with oxygen delivery/transport for 4 weeks prior to and throughout the entire study (e.g., includes sedatives, sleeping aids, tranquilizers and/or any medication that depresses ventilation, diuretics, alpha and beta blockers). * Willing to refrain from smoking, vaping, chewing tobacco, and dietary supplement use throughout the entire study. * Willing to have a hypoxic tent…
Interventions
- OtherNormobaric hypoxia (NH)
Low oxygen exposure to mimic \~8500 feet elevation (experimental)
- OtherNormobaric normoxia (NN)
Normal oxygen exposure to mimic sea level conditions (sham comparator).
Location
- Pennington Biomedical Research CenterBaton Rouge, Louisiana