Pharmaceutical and nutritional composition comprising maltol and/or ethyl maltol for use in the therapy of iron deficiency (ID) and ID-anemia (IDA). The iron-free composition produce an efficient extraction of dietary non-heme iron from ingested food, being designed either as stand-alone maltol and/or etyl maltol-containing oral products, or potentiated by digestive enzymes, hematinic vitamins, copper or other iron-transportpromoters. The inventive compositions prevent gut iron overload typically occurring during therapy by oral iron, which translates into lowered oxidative stress and dysbiosis. The inventive compositions are therefore particularly indicated in IDA subjects intolerant to oral or intravenous (IV) iron.
