Iron deficiency medications are widely prescribed treatments around the world. A new study found that a lack of this mineral leads to a decrease in a key quality of white blood cells, which results in weakened immunity. The study was conducted by researchers from the German Cancer Research Center, who were surprised by the significant decline in white blood cells associated with iron deficiency. A detailed examination revealed that the reduction is due to a lack of neutrophils, which account for two-thirds of white blood cells in humans.
According to a report published in the journal "Science Advances," it was shown that due to iron deficiency, precursor cells in the bone marrow do not develop into mature neutrophils, as their differentiation seems to depend on iron. Other types of white blood cells, such as monocytes, were not affected by iron levels.
Bruno Gali, the supervisor of the study, stated: "This strong reliance on iron by neutrophils was not previously known. It may impact immune defense against bacterial pathogens." He added, "Interestingly, iron deficiency is one of the body’s defensive strategies during bacterial infections, as many pathogens rely on iron. To slow their proliferation, the body stores the mineral in specific cells, acting like a storage room that makes it difficult for pathogens to access this valuable resource."
