Iron and Meat and Blood Pressure

Relation of iron and red meat intake to blood pressure: cross
sectional epidemiological study.
Tzoulaki I, Brown IJ, Chan Q, Van Horn L, Ueshima H, Zhao L, Stamler
J, Elliott P
BMJ 2008.:a258.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations of dietary iron (total, haem,
and non-haem), supplemental iron, and red meat with blood pressure.
DESIGN: Cross sectional epidemiological study.
SETTING: 17 population samples from Japan, China, the United Kingdom,
and the United States participating in the international collaborative
study on macro-/micronutrients and blood pressure (INTERMAP).
PARTICIPANTS: 4680 adults aged 40-59.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Average of eight blood pressure readings.
RESULTS: In multiple linear regression analyses dietary total iron and
non-haem iron were consistently inversely associated with blood
pressure. With adjustment for potential non-dietary and dietary
confounders, dietary total iron intake higher by 4.20 mg/4.2 MJ (2 SD)
was associated with -1.39 mm Hg (P<0.01) lower systolic blood
pressure. Dietary non-haem iron intake higher by 4.13 mg/4.2 MJ (2 SD)
was associated with -1.45 mm Hg (P<0.001) lower systolic blood
pressure. Differences were smaller for diastolic blood pressure. In
most models haem iron intake from food was positively, non-
significantly associated with blood pressure. Iron intake from
combined diet and supplements yielded smaller associations than
dietary iron alone. Red meat intake was directly associated with blood
pressure; 102.6 g/24 h (2 SD) higher intake was associated with 1.25
mm Hg higher systolic blood pressure. Associations between red meat
and blood pressure persisted after adjustment for multiple
confounders.
CONCLUSION: Non-haem iron has a possible role in the prevention and
control of adverse blood pressure levels. An unfavourable effect of
red meat on blood pressure was observed. These results need
confirmation including in prospective studies, clinical trials, and
from experimental evidence on possible mechanisms.

BMJ (Clinical research ed.) [BMJ]

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Iron and Meat and Blood Pressure
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