17 Jul 2019 --- High iron levels in the blood may increase the risk of stroke, according to a new study from Imperial College London, UK, funded by the Wellcome trust. Naturally high iron levels are associated with benefits such as a lower risk of high cholesterol and of arteries becoming clogged (atherosclerosis). However, the researchers analyzed genetic data from over 500,000 people and found that high iron levels may increase the risk of blood clots – a common stroke cause – and of bacterial skin infection. While the study only involved iron levels related to genetic variation and not supplementation, it highlights the need for patient trials to gain further insight into these connections.
