Taking iron can prevent colds and flu
evidence
The Claim
Some people believe that iron supplements can boost the immune system and prevent illnesses like colds and flu. This belief is based on the idea that iron is essential for immune cell function and response.
Origin
This myth likely stems from general health advice that emphasizes the importance of nutrients in supporting immune health, often promoting iron without specific context.
What Science Says
Current evidence suggests that while iron is critical for immune function, excessive iron can actually impair the immune response and increase susceptibility to infections. A review of the literature indicates that there is no direct evidence that iron supplementation prevents respiratory infections in healthy individuals. Proper immune function relies on a balanced diet rather than excessive supplementation.
Verdict
False
Sources
- PMID:34626488 Nutrient supplementation for prevention of viral respiratory tract infections in healthy subjects: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- PMID:39275285 Effect of Oral Nutritional Supplementation on Health-Related Outcomes and Nutritional Biomarkers in Children and Adolescents with Undernutrition: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- PMID:23394755 Iron and infection: narrative review of a major iron supplementation study in Papua New Guinea undertaken by the Department of Tropical Paediatrics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, 1979-1983, its aftermath and the continuing relevance of its results.