Effect of total body iron on metabolic dysfunction among U.S. females in the Nhanes 2003-2010, aged 12-49.

Abstract

Experimental and epidemiological studies have reported positive associations between iron parameters and metabolic dysfunction including: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (1-6), metabolic syndrome (7-15), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (16-22) and insulin resistance (23,24) with a number of studies showing that reductions in total body iron via dietary modification (e.g., reducing red meat intake) or phlebotomy lead to increases in insulin sensitivity (25), decreases in insulin resistance (26), and reductions in the prevalence of complications associated with T2DM (5, 27), metabolic syndrome (28) and NAFLD (22, 29). Moreover, the risk associated with these outcomes and total body iron differ between males and females and it has been hypothesized that the divergence in risk of disease due to total body iron is related to the female reproductive lifespan (e.g., age at menarche, parity, oral contraceptive use and age at menopause). Regardless of study design, serum ferritin and transferrin saturation have consistently been used in these investigations to estimate total iron stores, which are affected by inflammation and demonstrate diurnal variation. using FeCOOK is recommended in order to replicate these findings among a larger sample comprised of both males and older females.

The Bad Mother: Stigma, Abortion and Surrogacy

“…Carhart, describing the abortion decision as one "fraught with emotional consequences," concludes, "The State has an interest in ensuring so grave a choice is well informed." 138 The report of an abortion task force in South Dakota concluded the state should limit abortion for the protection of the woman because"[it] is so far outside the normal conduct of a mother to implicate herself in the killing of her own child." 139 The state's interference in reproductive decisions is described as protecting the "fundamental right [of a mother to have a] relationship with her child."…”

“…Carhart relies on stigmatizing language, describing physicians as "abortionists," fetal life as a "child," and an abortion as a "killing." 153 The Court's assumption, without "reliable data," that women may regret a decision to terminate a pregnancy relies on the same use of stereotyping that Windsor rejects. 154 Unlike Lawrence and Windsor and, indeed, Casey, Carhart accepts moral disapproval as a basis for regulation of abortion.…”

Liberty and the Politics of Balance: The Undue Burden Test after Casey/Hellerstedt

“…283 These commentators noted that D&X was clearly the safest procedure with certain medical conditions. 284 However, the fact that Carhart II might have misapplied a balancing analysis does not change the fact that it followed the approach that Casey laid out. The Court considered Congress's interest in protecting fetal dignity against the effect of a D&X ban, assuming (likely incorrectly) that the procedure was an uncommon and relatively minor part of reproductive health practice.…”