What does the body's iron do? And from where does it come? And what are the damages of its deficiency and height? This article contains all of that information and more.
Iron is a crucial mineral for development and growth. It is well known that the body uses iron to make a number of hormones and haemoglobin, one of the proteins found in red blood cells that carries oxygen all over the body. What is iron in the body? is a question that will be further explored in this article.
What is iron in the body?
About 70% of the iron in red blood cells, which are necessary for growth and development, is a mineral. It is known that the body uses iron to produce some hormones and hemoglobin, which is one of the proteins in red blood cells that transport oxygen to all parts of the body, and 6% Iron is found in other proteins in the body.
Up to 25% of iron is stored in the form of ferritin in the cells of the body and blood, and it is worth noting that adult males have 1000 milligrams of stored iron, which is sufficient for about 3 years, while adult females may have an iron reserve of up to 300 Milligram, which suffices for about 6 months, and when a chronic deficiency occurs, iron stores deplete and hemoglobin levels decrease in the blood. We have now briefly addressed the question, "What is iron in the body? "
What are the functions of iron in the body?
1. It improves how the body works.
Iron is one of the elements that contributes to the regulation of body temperature and enhances the functions of the immune and digestive systems. Iron also helps maintain all essential bodily functions and increases energy and focus.
2. Maintains a healthy pregnancy
Iron is a crucial component for a healthy pregnancy because it helps a pregnant woman's immune system and prevents preterm birth, low birth weight, and poor behavioural and cognitive development.
3. It aids in body movement
Because iron improves the delivery of oxygen to all body muscles, it helps the muscles carry out their tasks and functions in the best possible way. This results in an increase in motor and athletic performance.
4. It lessens fatigue and exhaustion
In addition to what is iron in the body, iron aids in reducing unjustified fatigue and exhaustion, particularly in those who have low ferritin levels, which are a common condition among pregnant women and those who are about to give birth. Low ferritin levels are an indicator of iron stores.
5. It alleviates restless leg syndrome symptoms.
Loss of control over the legs is a symptom of this syndrome, and iron supplementation aids in bettering control over this symptom.
6. It increases focus
It is well known that iron deficiency lowers levels of concentration and cognition. Iron supplements can help to increase concentration and cognition and strengthen memory, and eating foods high in iron helps to raise haemoglobin levels, which lowers motor and cognitive deficits.
What are the sources of iron?
After we got acquainted with the functions of iron in the body, we will discuss the most important sources of obtaining it, which are summarized as follows:
- oysters
Oysters have a high iron content, with 100 grammes containing 3 milligrammes of iron, or 17% of the daily recommended value.
- spinach
One of the most significant sources of iron, spinach provides 2.7 milligrammes of iron per 100 grammes, or 15% of the daily recommended value.
- bovine liver
6.5 milligrammes of iron, or 36% of the daily value for iron, are present in every 100 grammes of beef liver.
- legumes
Like beans, chickpeas, lentils, and other legumes, these foods are high in iron; one cup of these foods has 6.6 milligrammes of iron in it, which is 37% of the recommended daily allowance.
What are the effects of iron deficiency on the body?
after learning what iron does to the body? What are the body's uses for iron and where does it come from? We will learn about the damages of its deficiency, which are summarized as follows:
- Infectious diseases affect the body more easily.
- Immune system health is negatively impacted by iron deficiency.
- It raises the risk of lung and heart conditions.
- Before birth, it may lead to serious complications.
What are the effects of high iron in the body?
Hemochromatosis, or high iron levels, can result in:
- the onset of cardiac issues like arrhythmia and heart failure.
- having conditions like cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver hypertrophy.