Assessing the Effect of a Mineral-enriched Powder on Iron Deficiency in Women of Reproductive Age

Participation Requirements

• Sex:

  FEMALE

• Eligible Ages:

  18 to 35

Participation Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Non-pregnant and non-lactating
* English speaking with the ability to give informed consent
* 18-35 years of age (inclusive)
* Women who are biologically female
* Iron deficient (SF \>/=12μg/L and \</=30 μg/L). Note: there is currently poor consensus on diagnostic criteria for iron deficiency based on SF concentrations. Current recommendations range from 15 μg/L to 100 μg/L.
* Hb \>/=110 g/L
* Willing and able to agree to the requirements and lifestyle restrictions of this study
* Able to understand and read the questionnaires in English and carry out all study-related procedures
* Located in the greater Ottawa area and a resident of Ontario

Exclusion Criteria:

* Individuals who are lactating, pregnant, or planning to become pregnant during the study
* Individuals who are not maintaining adequate birth control measures

* Adequate birth control measures include any option that will adequately prevent pregnancy including: contraceptives, lifestyle choices, complete abstinence, or as a result of other medical methods, procedures, or conditions
* Have a known sensitivity, intolerability, or allergy to any of the study products or their excipients
* Are using vitamin and mineral supplements containing iron and/or zinc
* SF concentrations \<12 μg/L or \>30 μg/L
* Having moderate or severe anaemia (Hb \<109 g/L)
* Expecting to change diet and exercise regimen in the next 6 months
* Are frequent blood donors

* Have donated blood in the last four months
* Donate blood more than two to three times per year
* Had major surgery in the past three months
* Have planned surgery during the course of the study
* History of problematic alcohol or substance use in the 12 months prior to screening (including having been hospitalized for such in an in-patient or out-patient intervention program)
* Use of investigational product(s) in another research study within 30 days prior to the baseline visit or during the study duration
* Using any of the following drugs:

* Antacids or proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers
* Salicylates, aspirin, corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
* Anticoagulants, antiplatelet compounds
* Drugs with known contraindication with iron supplementation or fortification
* Antiviral medications
* Levothyroxine (Synthroid)
* Known medical history of specific conditions including:

* Gastrointestinal disorders: celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease
* Gastric cancer and gastric polyps
* Colon cancer
* Diverticular bleeding
* Inflammatory bowel diseases
* Angiodysplasia
* Helicobacter pylori infection
* Hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus)
* Defects of hemostasis (hereditary hemorrhagic telangectasia, von Willebrand disease)
* Gastrectomy, duodenal bypass, bariatric surgery
* Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent therapy
* Chronic kidney disease
* Hemochromatosis
* Hemoglobinopathies
* Blood clotting disorder
* Have any other active or unstable medical conditions or use of medications/supplements/ therapies that according to the scientific literature, may adversely affect the participant's ability to complete the study or its measures or pose a significant risk to the participant or the quality of the study data.