Iron is a very important element that no human being could live without. It is an essential part of every living thing because it is both an electron acceptor and an electron donor, which is a characteristic unique to iron. Iron can be found in many different food sources because both plants and animals use it.
In the typical developed country, the average person has approximately three to four grams of iron in their blood stream. Two-and-a-half grams of this iron is located in the hemoglobin, which carries oxygen all through the blood.
Cellular proteins use four hundred milligrams of the iron for cell processes, such as storing oxygen. Some of the iron is also stored in the liver, bone marrow, and spleen. Because iron is so important, iron regulation and iron metabolism are extremely important as well.
Too Much Of A Good Thing
If your iron metabolism is not functioning correctly, this could result in too much iron in your body. This is not good because too much iron can be toxic. When the amount of iron in the body becomes so great that it is not able to be bound by transferrin, it results in iron intoxication.
Because the body’s iron metabolism is too slow in this situation, it results in too much iron in the body. This could lead to further problems, such as severe damage to cells in the liver, the heart, and other organs as well. Iron intoxication rarely occurs due to too much iron in the diet because the body is very capable of regulating iron. Usually, iron intoxication occurs as a result of the over ingestion of iron tablets or supplements. It could also occur to diseases or disorders that effect iron metabolism.
Please, Sir, May I Have S’more?
There is also a possibility that the body’s iron metabolism might be too fast and thus result in an iron deficiency. There are other reasons for iron deficiency besides that the iron metabolism is too fast. For example, the body may not be receiving enough nutrients. Increased demand for iron or increased loss of iron may also be a factor. The body may also have problems absorbing iron. Having a fast iron metabolism and an iron deficiency could cause many long term problems, such as anemia. Symptoms of anemia include weakness, fatigue, pallor, and irritability. Anemia can be treated with iron supplements.
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