Iron is an essential mineral in the diet. Most often, people do not eat enough iron to support their body's functions, but too much iron can sometimes cause negative side effects. Hemochromatosis is a genetic disease that enhances iron absorption,...
It is common in our society for most people to want to eat iron-rich foods in order to prevent anemia. Some people, however, need to be on low-iron diets. People with gastrointestinal problems, gout or an iron-overload disorder called...
Although low-iron diets are typically not required or recommended for most people, there are a few situations where consuming foods low in iron can be beneficial. People with hemochromatosis, a condition where the body absorbs too much iron, may...
Iron deficiency that stems from an iron-poor diet may be treated with mineral supplements but must be corrected with a change in daily menus. Eating a variety of foods will provide the necessary balance between heme and nonheme iron, which come...
Thalassemia is a blood disorder characterized by a low amount of hemoglobin and fewer red blood cells than normal. There are several types of thalassemia; each is inherited. Because thalassemia is characterized by a low red blood cell count, it...
While the focus for many people is on increasing iron in the diet, some people who have medical conditions, such as hemochromotosis and chronic liver disease, need to avoid foods with high amounts of iron. The recommended dietary allowance for...
Thalassemia is a hereditary condition that affects the health of your red blood cells. This disorder results in fewer red blood cells and a decrease in hemoglobin, the substance that allows these cells to transport oxygen throughout your body....
Hepatitis C is a type of liver disease. The hepatitis C virus causes the liver to become inflamed, causing pain and a decrease in liver function. Some individuals can clear the virus that causes hepatitis C within a few months. However, most...
Heme iron is found in animal products and is the most easily absorbed form of dietary iron, according to the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements. This form of iron is derived from hemoglobin, the molecule that makes red...
Iron deficiency anemia occurs when there is not enough iron in your red blood cells. This is a common problem that can result from pregnancy, blood loss (including heavy menstruation), a low iron diet, or poor absorption of iron by your body. If...
Iron is an essential mineral because it is used in the production of red blood cells. If excess iron is absorbed, the body has no way of eliminating it. Individuals with hemochromatosis absorb four times more iron from foods than the average...
Iron is a trace mineral serving as a cofactor to enzymes involved in oxidation-reduction reactions. Oxidation-reduction reactions take place in virtually every cell of the body. Iron also has a role in the electron transport chain serving as part...
A well-balanced diet can aid in the growth of healthy nails. Brittleness, cracks, ridges, discoloring and poor growth can indicate a nutritional deficiency or another health condition. Changes in diet or adding a vitamin supplement can help to...
Your body needs iron for healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen to your muscles and tissues. Iron is also needed for proper cell growth and differentiation. You get two types of dietary iron from the food you eat: heme iron, found in animal...
Ferritin is a type of protein that aides in the storage of iron within your body. Iron is an essential nutrient that plays a role in the transport of oxygen in your red blood cells as well as the growth of cells. Low ferritin levels are a...
The liver is the largest organ inside the human body and performs many functions. It stores glucose, iron, vitamins and minerals, and it manufactures proteins. It produces bile to aid in the digestion of food and helps the body fight infection. It...
Iron is an essential micronutrient, involved in metabolism in most of the cells in your body. In addition, iron represents a key component of several essential proteins, including hemoglobin, the protein that helps carry oxygen to the tissues of...
Iron is an essential component of muscle proteins, detoxifying enzymes and hemoglobin that ferries oxygen from your lungs to the other parts of your body. Iron deficiency occurs when your body's iron stores become depleted due to inadequate iron...
The fruitarian diet is a type of vegan diet. It consists of only the fruit of the plant, according to the Vegetarian Resource Group. Foods allowed on the fruitarian diet include all fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, tomatoes, peas, beans and dried...
Eating a well-balanced diet will provide you with adequate amounts of vitamins and nutrients the body needs to function, but certain health conditions may require mineral supplements such as iron. However, excessive iron in the blood and body can...
Iron is mineral your body needs for several functions, such as oxygenating your blood. If you eat a diet that consists of too many iron-poor foods, you put yourself at risk for developing anemia. Conversely, getting too much iron can have negative...
Spirulina and chlorella are types of blue-green algae used as dietary supplements. Advocates of the supplements claim enormous health and nutritional benefits as a result of their consumption. People take the algae to fight disease and improve...
Ferritin is a protein that helps store iron inside the body's cells. Iron is an important component of hemoglobin, the substance that allows red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. Ferritin can be found in small quantities in the...
Obtaining the recommended daily requirements for vitamins and minerals can sometimes be difficult by consuming foods alone. Because of this, supplementing with a multivitamin may be prudent for many adults. With several types of multivitamins...
A low-iron diet, poor iron absorption in the body, and blood loss can all lead to an iron deficiency. Iron supplementation may be necessary for women who have a heavy menstrual flow, children who are growing, and people who do not eat animal...
Iron is a mineral that is essential for human health. This essential micronutrient cannot be produced by your body and must be obtained from food. Iron is a main portion of many of the proteins and enzymes in your body that have various functions...
Hemochromatosis is a condition characterized by high iron in the blood. Excessive iron can be dangerous and damage organs. Hemochromatosis cannot be cured and requires lifelong dietary measures, along with regular blood treatments, to reduce the...
Diet can play an important role in the treatment of red blood cell, or RBC, disorders. The most common of these disorders is anemia, which is caused by an insufficient number of healthy red blood cells in the body. Another RBC disorder is...
People opt for vegetarian diets both for ethical and health reasons. The two main types of vegetarian diets are the ovo-lacto vegetarians, who do not consume meat or seafood or products containing these foods but consume eggs and dairy; and...
