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IRON intake was shown to have a positive effect on intelligence scores in children and adolescents from low- and middle- income countries (LMICs), in a new meta-analysis and systematic review.

The demonstrated effect was shown to increase with supplement dosage, with researchers highlighting that the “results suggest that oral iron intake can improve the cognitive development of children and adolescents living in LMICs.”

Researchers from Tsinghua University, Harvard University, Duke University, and the University of Southern California report their findings in Nutrients.

Due to the critical biological and physical development processes taking place throughout childhood and adolescence, it is vital to ensure a strong nutritional profile during this period to prevent deficiencies. However, iron deficiencies are highly common during this age because of the bodies’ inability to increase iron reserves with increased demand.

https://tribuneonlineng.com/iron-supplementation-is-beneficial-for-intelligence/

A whole lot of people who aren't skeptical enough are gonna find themselves constipated.

LMIC means "low- and middle-income countries". It has not been shown that extra iron for kids in rich countries would provide benefits.

Does that work for kids who hate eating meat?

Just because there is wealth in a country does not mean parents are going to use those resources appropriately for their kids.

Right. However, the nutrition problems look different at the population level.

So this doesn’t say anything about kids in higher income countries. Is this making up for a deficiency in the body that they don’t suffer from or would it be effective in US/EU/etc ?

Interesting; looking at Table 2:

• Significant effect only for age >11
• Significant effect only for males (surprising; I expected the reverse due to menstruation)
• Significant effect only for higher-dose, longer-duration
• Significant effect even if non-anemic (surprising)

We're talking about stuff that's already been verified in these different types of countries. In fact its rich countries that have a problem with too much iron intake from a combination of meat, fortified foods, and multi vitamins and plain iron vitamins.

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It costs in brain degeneration in old age.

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That’s a key point here. It’s pretty well known that malnutrition as an ill effect on childhood cognitive development, so it tracks the opposite would be seen if those kids were getting nutrition they previously lacked

Wait. So, the Iron Kids People were right?

I thought anemia is not necessarily corellated with amount of iron - you can have a normal blood count, but be iron deficient, hense a separate test for iron?

In this case, it’s a misunderstanding of demographics and results probably not translating to other populations. I acknowledge skepticism is a nice shortcut to not needing that understanding though

I feel the need to relate this to the rise in IQ from the introduction of iodized salt somehow

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