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Three main strategies can be applied in order to improve iron status in individuals and populations. They are:
  • Dietary modification
  • Food fortification
  • Iron supplemetation
    They tend to modify iron balance by increasing iron dose and bioavailability.

    Dietary modification: As it has been discussed, several dietary factors influence Iron absorption: the amount of heme and non-heme iron, iron dose and host related factors. Promotion of diets with adequate bioavailable iron can improve Iron absoprtion from the diet and prevent ID.
    The latter can be acchieved by increasing the content of compounds which enhance Iron absorption (meat or ascorbic acid) and by decresing the content of inhibitory factors (phytate, calcium or phenolic compounds).
    This strategy may not be feasible when cultural, socio-economic or geographical conditions do not permit changes in dietary patterns.