Prebiotics and Iron Bioavailability— Is There a Connection?

been suggested to have an enhancing effect on iron absorption. The hypothesis that prebiotics enhance iron absorp- been suggested to have an enhancing effect on iron absorption. The hypothesis that prebiotics enhance iron absorp- been suggested to have an enhancing effect on iron absorption. The hypothesis that prebiotics enhance iron absorp- been suggested to have an enhancing effect on iron absorption. The hypothesis that prebiotics enhance iron absorp- tion is biologically plausible because fermentation of prebiotics by natural microflora present in the colon may tion is biologically plausible because fermentation of prebiotics by natural microflora present in the colon may tion is biologically plausible because fermentation of prebiotics by natural microflora present in the colon may tion is biologically plausible because fermentation of prebiotics by natural microflora present in the colon may tion is biologically plausible because fermentation of prebiotics by natural microflora present in the colon may decrease the pH of the luminal content, promote reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II), stimulate proliferation of epithelial decrease the pH of the luminal content, promote reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II), stimulate proliferation of epithelial decrease the pH of the luminal content, promote reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II), stimulate proliferation of epithelial decrease the pH of the luminal content, promote reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II), stimulate proliferation of epithelial decrease the pH of the luminal content, promote reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II), stimulate proliferation of epithelial cells to expand the absorptive surface area, and potentially stimulate expression of mineral-transport proteins in cells to expand the absorptive surface area, and potentially stimulate expression of mineral-transport proteins in cells to expand the absorptive surface area, and potentially stimulate expression of mineral-transport proteins in cells to expand the absorptive surface area, and potentially stimulate expression of mineral-transport proteins in cells to expand the absorptive surface area, and potentially stimulate expression of mineral-transport proteins in epithelial cells epithelial cells epithelial cells epithelial cells epithelial cells. However er er er er, data av , data av , data av , data av , data available in the liter ailable in the liter ailable in the liter ailable in the liter ailable in the literature char e char e char e characterizing the enhancing pr izing the enhancing pr izing the enhancing pr izing the enhancing pr izing the enhancing properties of pr ties of pr ties of pr ties of pr ties of prebiotics on ebiotics on ebiotics on ebiotics on ebiotics on iron absorption are inconsistent, and mechanisms of actions involved are poorly understood. The notion that the iron absorption are inconsistent, and mechanisms of actions involved are poorly understood. The notion that the iron absorption are inconsistent, and mechanisms of actions involved are poorly understood. The notion that the iron absorption are inconsistent, and mechanisms of actions involved are poorly understood. The notion that the iron absorption are inconsistent, and mechanisms of actions involved are poorly understood. The notion that the colon can function as a significant site of iron absorption in response to stimulation by prebiotics, and the effect of colon can function as a significant site of iron absorption in response to stimulation by prebiotics, and the effect of colon can function as a significant site of iron absorption in response to stimulation by prebiotics, and the effect of colon can function as a significant site of iron absorption in response to stimulation by prebiotics, and the effect of colon can function as a significant site of iron absorption in response to stimulation by prebiotics, and the effect of long-term exposure to prebiotics on the iron status of iron-deficient subjects remain to be clarified. This review long-term exposure to prebiotics on the iron status of iron-deficient subjects remain to be clarified. This review long-term exposure to prebiotics on the iron status of iron-deficient subjects remain to be clarified. This review long-term exposure to prebiotics on the iron status of iron-deficient subjects remain to be clarified. This review long-term exposure to prebiotics on the iron status of iron-deficient subjects remain to be clarified. This review discusses the functional properties of prebiotics as a promising dietary factor that enhances iron absorption. discusses the functional properties of prebiotics as a promising dietary factor that enhances iron absorption. discusses the functional properties of prebiotics as a promising dietary factor that enhances iron absorption. discusses the functional properties of prebiotics as a promising dietary factor that enhances iron absorption.