Trace Minerals

IRON

Iron
Iron is a trace mineral that is a component of 2 important proteins in the body:
1. 2.

Hemoglobin, which is found in Red Blood Cells. Myoglobin, which is found in Muscle Cells. Iron is very important to these cells because it enables them to carry oxygen to the muscles and throughout the body. It is also needed to make new cells, amino acids, and hormones. It is considered to be precious gold to the body.

Iron
About 10%-15% of dietary Iron is stored in the body, usually in the Liver, Bone Marrow, and Spleen. However, the absorption of Iron is very tightly controlled by the body because it is a very powerful oxidant that can damage cell structure. So, if the body detects a decline in Iron, the absorption will increase and when there is enough Iron in the body, absorption declines.

Iron
There are 2 types of Iron that can be found in foods:

Heme Iron, which is found in meat, fish, & poultry. Non- Heme Iron, which is found in plants.

The body absorbs Heme Iron more readily than Non-Heme Iron.

Iron
The DRI for Iron Men = 8 mg. daily

Women (19-50 yrs. of age) = 18 mg. daily Women (51 & up) = 8 mg. daily
It is recommended that pregnant women receive 27 mg. daily.

Iron
There are 2 serious conditions that can occur as a result of not getting enough Iron: Iron Deficiency, usually caused by malnutrition; and Anemia, caused primarily by the loss of blood. Although Iron is the most common nutrient deficiency in the world, women of all ages are the most at risk, especially during the reproductive years when women experience a repeated loss of blood during menstruation.

Iron
Likewise, large amounts of Iron can also cause adverse effects because Iron is difficult to excrete once it has been absorbed into the body. Chronic Iron overload can lead to infections, fatigue, joint pain, and organ damage.

In the United States, the most common cause of poisoning deaths in children under the age of 6 is due to Iron supplements.

Iron
It is best to get Iron from food sources because supplements can cause toxicity. There are several foods that provide good sources of Iron: Tofu, Enriched Cereals, Navy & Black Beans, as well as Spinach.