Proper Name: Iron

Common Name: Iron

Evidence of Efficacy: statement to the effect of Iron deficiency or imbalance plays a role in the symptoms of mood disorders. Observational and experimental studies have shown an association between iron and Aggression^1,2,3,4, ADHD^5,6,7,8,9, bipolar disorder¹⁰, depression^11,12,13,14 , premenstrual syndrome¹⁵, and schizophrenia^16,17,18.

References:

1. Rosen GM, Deinard AS, Shwartz S, et al. Iron deficiency among incarcerated juvenile delinquents. J Adolesc Health Care 6(6):419-23, 1985.

2. Webb TE, Oski FA. Behavioral status of young adolescents with iron deficiency anemia. J Spec Educat 8(2):153-6, 1974.

3. William J. Walsh, analytical chemist, Argonne National Laboratory – reported in Science News 124:122-5, 1983.

4. Tu JB, Shafey H, VanDewetering C. Iron deficiency in two adolescents with conduct, dysthymic and movement disorders. Can J Psychiatry 39(6):371-5, 1994.

5. Lozoff B, Brittenham GH. Behavioral aspects of iron deficiency. Prog Hematol 14:23-53, 1986. 6. Pollitt E et al. Behavioral effects of iron deficiency anemia in children, in E Pollitt & RL Leibel, Eds. Iron Deficiency, Brain Biochemistry and Behavior New York, Raven Press, 1982:195-204.

7. Ward NI. Assessment of chemical factors in relation to child hyperactivity. J Nutr Environ Med 7:333-42, 1997.

8. Kozielec T, Starobrat-Hermelin B, Kotkowiak L. [Deficiency of certain trace elements in children with hyperactivity.] Psychiatr Pol 28(3):345-53, 1994.

9. Sever Y, Ashkenazi A, Tyano S, Weizman A. Iron treatment in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Neuropsychobiology 35:178-80, 1997.

10. Feifel D et al. Iron overload among a psychiatric outpatient population. J Clin Psych 58(2):74-8, 1997.

11. Parker SD. Depression and nutrition: Anema and glucose imbalances. Anabolism Jan.-Feb., 1984.

12. Heinze G, Hippius H, Langer G, Matussek N. Serum iron levels in depressed patients. Pharmakopsychiatr Neuropsychopharmakol 10(4):239-42, 1977.

13. Fordy J, Benton D. Does low iron status influence psychological functioning? J Hum Nutr Diet 7:127-33, 1994.

14. Ballin A, Berar M, Rubinstein U, et al. Iron state in female adolescents. Am J Dis Child 146(7):803-5, 1992.

15. Penland J, Hunt J. Nutritional status and menstrual-related symptomatology. Abstract. FASEB J 7:A379, 1993.

16. White T, Brown K. Low serum iron levels and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Letter. Am J Psychiatry 148(1):148, 1991.

17. Rosebush P, Stewart T. A prospective analysis of 24 episodes of neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Am J Psychiatry 146:717-25, 1989.