Iron is an essential trace mineral necessary for human health; it performs many functions in the body. Because your body is unable to manufacture iroon it must come from the foods you eat and/or in supplement form. The Recommended Dietary Allowance for iron for men is 8 mg daily; for women of childbearing age, the RDA is 18 mg daily.
It Is Essential
Iron is a trace mineral, so is required in amounts less than 100 mg daily. However, its importance for proper bodily functions cannot be over-emphasized. Iron is a key component of many enzymes and proteins that are involved in metabolism as well as cellular growth and development. Iron also plays a role in immune system function.
Part of the Body
Iron is essential to the body's inner structure and function. According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, nearly two-thirds of the iron in the body is found in hemoglobin, a protein in the blood that carries oxygen to tissues. Smaller amounts of this trace mineral are found in myoglobin, a protein that helps supply oxygen to muscle.
For Optimum Performance
The body is able to store iron, but without dietary iron, the mineral is depleted from the body. Iron deficiency develops gradually. When the dietary need for iron surpasses intake, a negative nitrogen balance occurs. Stored iron is depleted first. The blood hemoglobin level, a marker of iron status, may remain normal as iron stores decrease. Early signs of low-iron status, before anemia is diagnosed, include moderate to severe fatigue, difficulty concentrating, impaired immunity and decreased school and/or work performance.
To Prevent Deficiency
Iron-deficiency anemia may result if lost iron stores are not replenished. According to The World Health Organization, iron deficiency is the number-one nutrition-related disorder in the world. It estimates that as many as 80 percent of the world's population may be iron-deficient, and 30 percent may suffer from iron-deficiency anemia. More serious consequences of iron-deficiency anemia include slow social and cognitive development during childhood, difficulty maintaining a normal body temperature, an increased susceptibility to infection and glossitis, which is an inflammation of the tongue.
Warning
While iron is essential, and iron-deficiency anemia must be corrected, an iron supplement should be taken only under a physician's advisement. Iron supplementation increases your risk of developing an even more serious condition: iron overload. Iron overload is a condition characterized by excess iron found in the blood and organs, such as the heart, liver and heart. Iron overload is most often associated with a genetic disorder, but can result from too much consumption of iron, and can cause organ damage and/or failure. Postmenopausal women and adult men should avoid iron supplements altogether.
References
- U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Library: Dietary Reference Intakes--Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc
- National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements--Iron Fact Sheet
- World Health Organization: Micronutrient Deficiencies--Iron
Member Comments