Inhibitory Effect of a Polyphenol Supplement on Dietary Iron Absorption in Adults with Thalassemia

Inclusion Criteria

• •Documented diagnosis of thalassemia minor or intermedia (β-thalassemia with or without α-globin gene mutations, Hb E/β-thalassemia with or without α-globin gene mutations, or α-thalassemia Hb H disease) based on Hb electrophoresis/HPLC and/or DNA analysis from the subject's medical record.
• •Hemoglobin (Hb): 7.0-13.5 g/dL for males; 7.0-12.0 for females
• •Serum ferritin (SF): 300-800 ug/L for males; 200-800 ug/L for females
• •Not having had a blood transfusion within 6 months prior to the study start
• •Age 18-49 y, not pregnant or lactating
• •Body weight \<75 kg and body mass index (BMI) between 17 and 25 kg/m2
• •No acute illness/infection (self-reported)
• •No metabolic or gastrointestinal disorders, eating disorders or food allergy to the ingredients of the test meal (self-reported)
• •No scheduled phlebotomy or blood transfusion during the study period
• •The last phlebotomy will be at least 4 weeks prior to first study visit
• •No intake of iron chelators 4 weeks prior to first study visit and throughout the study period
• •No use of medications affecting iron absorption or metabolism during the study
• •No intake of mineral/vitamin supplements 2 weeks prior to the first study visit and during the study
• •No participation in any other clinical study within the last 30 days and during the study
• •Expected to comply with study protocol