Iron Levels in Blood Linked to Cognitive Performance in Menopausal Women

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Women transitioning into menopause who have adequate iron levels in their blood perform better on cognitive tasks, suggesting that sufficient iron may alleviate symptoms of brain fog. However, being deficient in iron does not equate to unsafe levels in the brain, which can elevate the risk for neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers measured iron levels in the blood, conducted MRIs to see the amount of iron in the brain, and assessed behavioral measures of cognition in a group of women. None were deficient in iron, but several were below expected levels, and those women performed worse on measures of memory, attention, and cognition.

Key Takeaways:

  • Women with adequate iron levels in their blood during menopause perform better on cognitive tasks, suggesting sufficient iron may alleviate symptoms of brain fog.
  • Being deficient in iron does not equate to unsafe levels in the brain, which can elevate the risk for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
  • The study found no correlation between the amount of iron in the blood and the amount deposited in the brain.
  • Women visiting their OB-GYN typically are not tested for iron deficiency, which may be a missed opportunity to alleviate symptoms.
  • Making minor changes to diet to consume more foods high in iron and taking low-dose iron supplements may be effective in alleviating symptoms.
  • The study highlights the need for further research on the relationship between iron levels and cognitive performance in menopausal women.

Statistics:

  • 150 milliseconds: The amount of time it takes a woman with iron deficiency to complete a simple task compared to those with sufficient iron.
  • 0: The number of women in the study who were deficient in iron.
  • Several: The number of women in the study who were below expected levels of iron in their blood.

Sources:

  • Michael Wenger, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the OU College of Arts and Sciences
  • Pamela Miles, M.D., associate professor in the OU College of Medicine
  • University of Oklahoma
  • Nutrients journal
  • "Low iron could easily be one of the reasons that a woman is experiencing brain fog during the menopausal transition," (Wenger)