A study recently published in Brain and Behavior found that individuals who are genetically predisposed to have lower iron levels may be at a higher risk of developing myasthenia gravis (MG).
“These findings provide new insights into the etiology of neuroimmune diseases and provide a theoretical basis for micronutrient regulation, prevention, and treatment of neuroimmune diseases,” the researchers wrote.
The study evaluated fourteen micronutrients, which are vitamins and minerals that are present in very small amounts in the body and are critical for normal functioning. Research has shown that micronutrient levels can play a key role in the development of a variety of diseases.
The authors assessed seven neuroimmune diseases, including MG, to determine whether micronutrient levels were a cause of each disease. Patient information was collected from a data set of 5,523 patients with neuroimmune diseases and 2,860,006 controls.
Read more about MG causes and risk factors
Rather than using blood micronutrient levels, which can fluctuate with time, the authors used specific genetic markers that act as proxies for long-term levels. This allowed them to investigate lifelong averages in micronutrient levels instead of short-term changes that could occur due to diet or other factors. Additionally, this technique helped to rule out confounding variables or the possibility of reverse causation.
The results showed a significant association between low iron levels and MG; this may suggest that higher iron levels can protect against MG, the authors claimed. None of the other micronutrients included in the study were linked to MG.
These findings may open the doors to future research to uncover how micronutrients can regulate the development, treatment and prognosis of neuroimmune diseases such as MG. “The exact mechanisms remain unclear due to a lack of relevant literature, necessitating further experimental research,” the authors concluded.
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