Scientists at the Institute of Food Research are investigating how iron in the diet affects men's health. Most research on iron has concentrated on the higher iron needs of women and children, but what does this mean for men?

Many foods have extra iron added to them before we buy them (especially breakfast cereals and foods made from flour). This is to protect women and children from iron deficiency and anaemia, the most common nutritional deficiency in the developed world. "Very little research has looked at how this extra iron might affect men" says researcher Anne-Louise Heath, "We want to make sure that this is not causing problems for men who have a copy of the iron overload gene". Having only one copy of this gene (the haemochromatosis gene) doesn't appear to cause any symptoms, but it may make some men take in and store more iron than they need.

One in every six people in the Norwich area has the gene - without even knowing it. This is one of the highest rates in the world.

Project Co-ordinator Mark Roe remarked:- "As a Norfolk man myself, I'm very interested in the link between this gene and the foods we eat. We know that people with two copies of this gene absorb too much iron and may suffer serious health problems as a result. But, there are far more people with one copy of the gene – and very little is known about how much iron they absorb."

The research team are looking for 2000 men aged 45 years or over to volunteer for a blood test to see if they have a copy of the iron overload gene. Some of these men will be asked if they are interested in taking part in the next two parts of the study: measuring how much iron their bodies absorb, and looking at what sorts of foods they eat. If you would like to know more about the study please contact Anne-Louise Heath or Mark Roe on 01603 255110.

• The research was funded by Food Standards Agency.
• The mission of the Institute of Food Research is to carry out independent basic, and strategic research on food safety, quality, nutrition and health. It is a company limited by guarantee, with charitable status, grant aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). The Institute is based on the Norwich Research Park.
• The Institute is based on the Norwich Research Park.
• ISDN Audio available.

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