While a little iron supplement can keep your body healthy, too much intake of this naturally occurring mineral can be dangerous or fatal. Iron supplementation is often warranted, but its use should be recommended and monitored by a qualified health care professional, especially for children. According to MedlinePlus, the leading source of fatal poisoning for children is iron. Too much iron may also lead to the development of heart disease.
Uses of Iron
Iron is most commonly used to treat anemia, or lack of iron in red blood cells. Without proper amounts of iron, red blood cells cannot carry oxygen throughout the body. Symptoms of iron deficiency include fatigue, weakness, headache, dizziness, pale skin, cold hands and feet, brittle nails, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, restless legs and irritability. Globally, iron deficiency is the top nutritional disorder, affecting up to 80 percent of the world's population. Evidence-based treatments with iron include increasing sports exercise capacity in athletes, treating blood pressure medication-induced coughs and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Iron Sources and Overdose
Foods that naturally contain iron include organ and red meat, fish, shellfish, poultry, legumes, peas, beans, seeds, nuts, leafy vegetables, molasses and whole grains. Many supplements and multivitamins contain iron, a natural mineral, necessary in red blood cells for carrying oxygen. Iron is stored in the muscles, liver, bones and spleen when supplies are normal. Food sources of iron may not be enough for those who are deficient, so they may turn to supplements.
Too much iron is a condition called hemochromatosis, and can lead to diabetes, liver damage and skin discoloration. Symptoms of iron poisoning include trouble breathing, black or bloody stools, diarrhea, vomiting and discolored skin. MedlinePlus warns that symptoms may come and go until treated.
Heart Disease
A study published in the November 2010 issue of the "Journal of Cardiac Failure," reports that excessive iron can result in an accumulation of the mineral in the heart. Researchers discovered that calcium-channel blockers, often used to treat high blood pressure, "may reduce the toxic effects of excess iron." Researchers suggest that cardiac disease caused by iron-overload is "potentially reversible" if it is discovered and treated early.
Warnings
Iron should not be taking along with certain medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and allopurinol, used for the treatment of gout. The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports reports that iron will not improve sports performance unless the athlete is low in iron. It is not intended as an ergogenic, or performance-enhancing, aid. Seek medical advice prior to taking any iron supplements.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Iron
- MayoClinic.com: Iron Deficiency
- MedlinePlus: Iron-Overload
- Department of Health and Human Services; The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports: Sports Nutrition
- "Journal of Cardiac Failure"; Iron-overload Cardiomyopathy: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Treatment; C. J. Murphy and G. Y. Oudit; November 2011
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