Beneficial Effect of Supplementation of Flax and Hemp Seeds in the Diet of Alpine Goats on the Iron Content in Blood

Abstract

Aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of diets enriched with flax and hemp seeds on iron blood content of lactating Alpine goats. A total of eighteen goats were equally divided in three groups: control and goats supplemented with flax and hemp. The goats were supplemented with control diet for 45 days (conditioning diet). The different treatments ended after 150 days in milk. At T0 (45 days in milk), and at T1 and T2 (100 and 150 days in milk, respectively), the blood from the goats were collected and analyzed for iron content. In control goats, the iron content increased by 23% from T0 to T2. In both treatments (flax and hemp), the iron in goat blood resulted increased by 36% and 62% with flax, and by 33% and 67% with hemp (at T1 and T2, respectively). These results are surprising when it is considered the high phytate content of seeds of these plants. It is likely the presence in flax and hemp seeds of compounds that stimulate the absorption of iron.