Iron deficiency is detrimental as it hampers cellular replication processes; specifically, the enzyme ribonucleotide reductase, which relies on iron, which is essential for initiating DNA synthesis.42 Furthermore, the implications of iron deficiency extend beyond cellular replication as it may also disrupt growth pathways that are influenced by insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF binding protein-1 -1 preventing cell proliferation with a negative impact on growth.43 This evidence concerns the gene IGFBP1 and nutritional disorder.