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PROMOTES Hemoglobin Formation Oxygen Transport Energy Metabolism of Fatty Acids
PROTECTS AGAINST Anemmia Fatigue Beathlessness Pallor
Iron supplements are only indicated if there is iron depletion. A simple blood test can measure iron levels and iron's ability to be bound in the body for utilization. Iron is a free radical and can cause harm if supplementation is taken in the presence of normal iron levels.
Recommended Dietary Allowance of iron for adults ranges between 10 and 30 mg a day preferably from food sources.
Overview Iron use and the Iron Age was underway by 1000 BC. Since then, the history of civilization has been the history of iron. It is a transition metal and is number 26 on the atomic periodic table.
Iron, an essential trace mineral, plays a role in many critical biochemical reactions within the body. It is primarily a component of the oxygen transport system in the hemoglobin. About 80% of the total iron in a healthy individual is in the blood.
It is also involved in the metabolism of serum glucose to energy within the cells. It is part of many of the enzymes that cascade in the process of making new cells and making available amino acids, the building blocks of the cells. These enzymes are also involved in the production of hormones and neurotransmitters.
The compounds of iron that are available include, ferrous ammonium citrate, ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous glycinate, and ferrous sulfate.
Iron losses leading to depletion are greatest with blood losses because more than 3/4 of the total amount of iron in the body is in the blood. Trauma victims, those persons with bleeding disorders, people with bleeding gastrointestinal ulcers, those with tumors in certain parts of the body and menstruating women lose iron at varying rates. Iron deficiency anemia can occur. This is an anemia where red blood cells contain less hemoglobin and have a diminished oxygen carrying capacity.
Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia are:
-Breathlessness (particularly with exertion) -Brittle Nails (can flatten out and begin to appear spoon like) -Fatigue -Hair Loss -Headache -Pallor
Other conditions can lead to iron deficiency. Hypochlorhydria is a decrease in the production of and lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This occurs from genetic abnormalities, some medications, and with age. Gastric hydrochloric acid is necessary for iron absorption.
Diarrhea and other gastrointestinal conditions that result in an increase in motility can decrease absorption.
Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory medication like aspirin, ibuprophen, etc. and the steroids, can cause GI ulceration and subsequent bleeding. Antacids, Histamine 2 blockers (H2) and proton pump inhibitors (PPI's) can interfere with iron bioavailability.
See DRUG DEPLETION TABLE for specific drug information.
Processing grains removes some iron.
Iron rich animal source foods include: -Organ Meats, particularly Liver -Meat -Fish -Poultry
Iron rich plant sources include: -Dried Beans and Legumes -Dried Fruits -Dark Leafy Greens -Nuts -Whole Grains
-Breads -Cereals -Flour
Oxygen transport throughout the body as part of hemoglobin is the major biological function of iron. Each hemoglobin molecule contains 4 iron atoms. These are contained in the heme segment. Heme picks up oxygen in the lungs as the blood passes by the alveoli in the lungs. Myoglobin in the muscles is an iron protein that accepts the oxygen from the hemoglobin and stores it until the muscles are ready to use it.
Oxygen is either stored or released by signals from electron transportation and the ability of iron to transport electrons is key in the biological exchange. Iron is able to convert back and forth easily between it's reduced state, the ferrous state (Fe++) and it's oxidized state, it's ferric state (Fe+++). This electron transport feature of iron is the prime biological activity of many enzymes.
Iron is part of the synthesis process of carnitine which is a hydrophilic amino acid derivative and is part of the production of carnitine acyltrasferase, essential in the metabolism of fatty acids.
Vitamin E inhibits the absorption of iron and as such iron deficiency is a potential but not probable. Still, it would be advisable not to take supplemental vitamin E with doses of iron if iron replacement therapy supplements have been prescribed to correct anemia.
Hypochlorhydria (low levels of the hydrochloric acid digestive juices) and diminished digestive enzymes may inhibit absorption of iron. These gastrointestinal states occur primarily with the elderly, but the incidence is on the rise with the increased use of "acid blocking drugs" in our society.
Recommended Dietary Allowance: 1989 Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) National Academy of Sciences
AGE (YRS) AMOUNT in milligrams
Infants 0.0-0.5: 6 0.5-1.0: 10
Children 1-3: 10 4-6: 10 7-10: 10
Males 11-14: 12 15-18: 12 19-24: 10 25-50: 10 51+: 10
Females 11-14: 15 15-18: 15 19-24: 15 25-50: 15 51+: 10
Pregnant: 30
Lactating 1st 6 mos.: 15 2nd 6 mos.: 15
Iron toxicity is rare but certain states can cause to much iron to be absorbed into the body. A genetic defect called hemochromatosis, which usually occurs in males and causes excessive iron absorption results in free radical ion damage to the heart, liver, spleen, and pancreas. Alcoholism can lead to increased iron absorption.
When the body has adequate iron stores, it slows iron absorption. Since iron is a free radical in it's unbound state, taking supplements of iron is ill advised unless iron stores are depleted. Too much iron may increase the risk of cancer and heart disease.
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