Nutritional anaemia, of which iron deficiency is the greatest cause, constitute the second most prevalent nutritional deficiency in the world, second only to protein-energy malnutrition. Iron deficiency anaemia affects primarily women and children and individuals with chronic disease. This nutritional deficiency respects neither social class nor geographic situation, as it is present in both developed and underdeveloped countries. Iron deficiency anaemia is a condition in which the haemoglobin levels of red blood cells are lowered, and the red cells become smaller and deformed, thus reducing their oxygen-carrying capacity. The most common cause is nutritional, including inadequate absorption of iron due to poor iron intake and reduced bioavailability. Iron loss from internal bleeding, low stomach acid and mal-absorption are also important factors. The standardised (Humic/Fulvic Acid) may be an effective way to treat iron deficiency anaemia and maintain adequate amounts of necessary minerals in proper balance for optimal health.

The ability of the standardised (Humic/Fulvic Acid) to restore iron levels and improve haematological parameters has been documented. Serum iron levels improved in fourteen adult volunteers given oral doses of (Humic/Fulvic Acid) during a three-week period. Serum ferritin levels approached the desired physiological range within three weeks. It was reported that for subjects with low iron values at the beginning of the study, their iron levels increased to within the desired range for iron status; conversely, those subjects who began the study with elevated iron status, their iron levels decreased to within the desired physiological range. This finding demonstrated that (Humic/Fulvic Acid) could facilitate homeostasis of iron status in humans.

(Humic/Fulvic Acid) was given orally as an adjuvant during cytostatic therapy to tumour patients. Cytostatic therapy is used for the prevention of the growth and proliferation of cancer cells; however, damage may also occur to normal cells such as erythrocyte cells (red blood cells), which may lead to anaemia (the deficiency of red blood cells, haemoglobin, and blood volume). Therefore, iron therapy is needed, because iron functions as a part of haemoglobin and thus red blood cell function. One group of patients showed significant enough improvement in their erythrocyte counts so that no further need for iron therapy was required. Further subjective evidence of benefits experienced by these cancer patients included: improved appetite, weight gain, reduced need for analgesics, increased general stress resistance, reduced nausea, reduced fatigue, and restoration of the capacity to work. No adverse side effects were reported that could be attributed to (Humic/Fulvic Acid).

The standardised (Humic/Fulvic Acid) formula was used for the treatment of anaemia and for faster recovery from illnesses in children. Nineteen paediatric subjects with iron deficiency anaemia were studied to determine if (Humic/Fulvic Acid) given orally would improve their general well-being, appetite, and serum iron levels. Subjects reported improvements in appetite and well-being after treatment with (Humic/Fulvic Acid). A rise in serum iron levels was seen as early as two weeks after administration had begun. After three weeks, (Humic/Fulvic Acid) caused a significant increase in the serum iron level. Haemoglobin levels were variable, with some rising and others decreasing, but within desired physiological levels.

This same effect (variable haemoglobin levels) was also manifest in elite athletes. Haemoglobin levels were studied to determine if the oral administration of (Humic/Fulvic Acid) would affect stress resistance, and the ability to increase the intensity of exercise, following oral administration of (Humic/Fulvic Acid) in 25 elite adult athletes. Haemoglobin levels in the athletes remained within the desired physiological range. Athletes reported a subjective improvement in stress resistance and their ability to focus during exercise periods. From the two previous studies, it appears that the standardised (Humic/Fulvic Acid) may have the ability to normalise iron, serum ferritin, and haemoglobin levels. Evidence for the effect of (Humic/Fulvic Acid)'s iron normalising capabilities has been described in the literature. Protocatechuic acid (a phenolic monomer of (Humic/Fulvic Acid)) can form Fe+2-polyphenol complexes when excess amounts of iron are available. This occurs so that excess iron (Fe+2) cannot react with oxygen molecules and form reactive oxygen species. This provide further support for the metal chelating activity of (Humic/Fulvic Acid) and implies that it has the ability to normalise iron levels so that excessive oxidation does not occur in the presence of higher than usual amount of iron.

In vivo studies have also demonstrated the effectiveness of the standardised (Humic/Fulvic Acid) for improving iron deficiency anaemia in rats and pigs. (Humic/Fulvic Acid) was tested on an iron deficient rat model by rearing the mothers and their offspring on an iron free diet. Iron deficiency was signified by severe microcytic, hypochromic anaemia, and high zinc protoporphyrin (ZP) levels indicating the lack of iron at tissue level in the bone marrow. The iron deficient rat pups also exhibited a decreased weight at birth, decreased body mass gain, and increased lethality compared to controls [69]. (Humic/Fulvic Acid) was compared to the effectiveness of an official medicinal preparation, Aktiferrin syrup, which is commonly used in the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia. Regarding the haemopoietic and hepatic effects, measured by red blood cells (RBC), mean cell volume (MVC), haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferring saturation, and liver enzymes (ALAT, ASAT, GOT, GPT) respectively, (Humic/Fulvic Acid) exhibited equal effects compared to the Aktiferrin. However, (Humic/Fulvic Acid) proved to be superior in that body mass gain of the pups was better in this group as compared to the Aktiferrin group. Additionally, serum triglyceride levels were measured, and decreased concentrations normalised in the standardised (Humic/Fulvic Acid) formula group but not in the Aktiferrin treated group.

Further support for the beneficial effects of the standardised (Humic/Fulvic Acid) in the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia has been demonstrated in iron deficient pigs. Pigs of iron deficient sows that were fed the standardised (Humic/Fulvic Acid) while pregnant exhibited significantly higher haemoglobin levels than did the pigs of iron deficient sows that were given the standard parenteral iron supplement treatment or no treatment. These results and previous in vivo data indicate that the standardised (Humic/Fulvic Acid) offers an effective treatment for iron deficiency and may help restore impaired metabolic processes due to iron deficiency anaemia.

*HumicHealth.info EDITOR'S NOTE:
In keeping with this website's intention to educate without promoting or endorsing any Humic Acid product, we have substituted the terms (Humic/Fulvic Acid) and (the product) when reference to a brand name or formulation is made in the above text.