World (Enmaeya News) December 4, 2025

A study by researchers at Columbia University has revealed a hidden danger posed by iron deficiency in the body.

According to The Journal of Immunology, the study found that following an iron-poor diet can impair the ability of immune cells to combat respiratory infections, and this effect persists even after iron levels return to normal.

In the study, scientists provided laboratory mice with an iron-deficient diet and then exposed them to the influenza virus.

They discovered that the T-cells in the lungs of these mice formed memory cells that appeared normal in structure but failed to produce interferon-gamma, a key antiviral signaling molecule.

Importantly, this immune dysfunction continued even after iron was reintroduced into the mice’s diet.

Researchers also observed that immune cells in the lung tissue lost their ability to respond to the virus when the animals were deprived of iron, while other parts of the immune system continued functioning normally.

This may explain why iron deficiency is linked to increased susceptibility to respiratory viruses and a higher risk of developing asthma.

The study’s authors note that iron-deficiency anemia is one of the most common nutritional disorders worldwide, particularly among women and children.

Their findings could help better understand how iron affects T-cells in the lungs, leading to new dietary and medical strategies to boost immunity and prevent viral diseases.