Researchers tested a new type of supplement made from donkey-hide gelatin to see if it could help people with iron deficiency anemia—a condition where your body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells. In animal studies, this gelatin supplement worked better than regular iron pills at helping the body absorb iron and reduced stomach problems. The supplement also appeared to improve gut health by increasing good bacteria and decreasing harmful ones. While these results are promising, more human studies are needed before this supplement becomes available to patients.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a special gelatin supplement made from donkey hide could help treat iron deficiency anemia better than regular iron supplements
  • Who participated: Laboratory rats with iron deficiency anemia (the exact number of animals wasn’t specified in the abstract)
  • Key finding: The donkey-hide gelatin supplement increased hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen in blood) by 44% and helped normalize iron levels in the body, while also improving gut bacteria balance
  • What it means for you: This research suggests a potential new way to treat iron deficiency that might work better and cause fewer stomach problems than current iron pills, but human studies are still needed to confirm these benefits

The Research Details

Scientists created a supplement from donkey-hide gelatin and tested it in rats that had iron deficiency anemia. They examined how well the supplement could hold onto iron and keep it in a form the body could use. They also studied what happened inside the rats’ bodies when they received the supplement, measuring changes in blood iron levels, liver health, and the types of bacteria living in their digestive systems.

The researchers compared the donkey-hide gelatin supplement to a control group (rats that didn’t receive the supplement) to see what differences it made. They looked at multiple markers of health, not just iron levels, to get a complete picture of how the supplement affected the whole body.

This research approach is important because it tests not just whether iron gets absorbed, but also whether the supplement causes the side effects that regular iron pills often do. By looking at gut bacteria changes, the researchers could see if this supplement might actually improve digestive health while treating iron deficiency.

This study was conducted in a controlled laboratory setting with animals, which allows researchers to carefully measure what happens. However, animal studies don’t always produce the same results in humans. The research was published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, which means other experts reviewed it before publication. More research in humans would be needed to confirm these findings are safe and effective for people.

What the Results Show

The donkey-hide gelatin supplement performed significantly better than expected at carrying iron through the digestive system. When tested in rats with iron deficiency, the supplement increased hemoglobin levels by 44%—a substantial improvement that brought blood iron levels closer to normal.

The supplement also normalized serum ferritin (a measure of iron storage in the body) to 25.34 ng/mL, which is an important marker of proper iron balance. Additionally, the supplement boosted the body’s natural antioxidant defenses, increasing SOD (an antioxidant enzyme) to 111% of normal levels and hydroxyproline (important for tissue health) to 168% of normal levels.

Perhaps most importantly, the supplement improved liver health that had been damaged by iron deficiency and restored a healthier balance of gut bacteria. The supplement increased beneficial bacteria like Ruminococcus while reducing harmful bacteria like Escherichia-Shigella.

Beyond iron absorption, the supplement appeared to protect the liver from damage caused by iron deficiency. The improvement in gut bacteria composition suggests the supplement might reduce digestive side effects that commonly occur with regular iron supplements. The increase in antioxidant defenses indicates the supplement may help protect cells from damage.

Current iron supplements often use inorganic (non-food-based) iron, which can cause stomach upset and doesn’t absorb well. This research builds on earlier studies showing that protein-based supplements might deliver iron more effectively. The donkey-hide gelatin approach is novel because it combines iron delivery with potential benefits to gut health, which previous supplements haven’t addressed.

This study was conducted only in rats, not humans, so results may not directly apply to people. The abstract doesn’t specify how many rats were used, making it harder to assess the strength of the findings. The study doesn’t compare the supplement directly to current iron medications in the same experiment. Long-term safety and effectiveness in humans remain unknown and would require additional clinical trials.

The Bottom Line

Based on this animal research, the donkey-hide gelatin supplement shows promise as a potential future treatment for iron deficiency anemia. However, this is early-stage research, and people should not seek out this supplement yet. Current standard iron supplements remain the recommended treatment until human studies confirm this new approach is safe and effective. If you have iron deficiency anemia, continue working with your doctor on proven treatments.

People with iron deficiency anemia and those who experience side effects from regular iron supplements should follow this research. Healthcare providers treating anemia may be interested in this as a potential future option. This research is less relevant for people without iron deficiency or those who tolerate current iron supplements well.

In the animal studies, improvements in hemoglobin and iron levels were measurable, but the timeframe isn’t specified in the abstract. If this supplement eventually becomes available for humans, realistic benefits would likely take several weeks to months to appear, similar to current iron supplements.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Once this supplement becomes available for human use, users could track hemoglobin levels through periodic blood tests (every 4-8 weeks) and log daily energy levels and digestive symptoms to monitor overall improvement
  • Users could set reminders to take the supplement consistently at the same time daily, track any digestive side effects compared to previous iron supplements, and monitor energy levels and fatigue throughout the day
  • Establish a baseline with blood work before starting, schedule follow-up blood tests every 4-8 weeks to measure hemoglobin and iron levels, and maintain a symptom diary noting energy, digestion, and any side effects to share with healthcare providers

This research was conducted in laboratory animals and has not yet been tested in humans. The donkey-hide gelatin supplement is not currently available as a commercial product for treating iron deficiency anemia. If you have iron deficiency anemia, consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan. Do not attempt to self-treat with unproven supplements. Current iron medications remain the standard evidence-based treatment for iron deficiency anemia. This summary is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.