All About Mineral Iron or the body.

 

Iron is a very important essential trace element, necessary for the production of red blood, heart and muscle cells, for the transport and storage of oxygen.

Iron is a very important essential trace element, Guest Posting necessary for the production of red blood, heart and muscle cells, for the transport and storage of oxygen. It affects DNA synthesis, myelin production, neurotransmitters and energy (electron transport). Hemoglobin contains most of the iron present in the body. The liver maintains iron stores in the form of ferritin, while the remaining iron is stored in the muscles (myoglobin). Transferrin carries iron in the blood and controls free iron levels.

Dietary iron includes heme and non-heme sources. Heme iron is already bound to hemoglobin or myoglobin and is absorbed more easily. It is found in meats such as beef, seafood and chicken. Non-heme iron is less easily absorbed and is found in green leafy vegetables, dark chocolate, and tofu. In addition, some foods such as cereals are enriched with iron. The recommended daily dose of iron for adults is 45 mg. Women who have heavy bleeding during their menstrual cycle may need more.

Non-optimal iron levels

Excess iron is also referred to as iron overload or hemochromatosis. In primary hemochromatosis (hereditary hemochromatosis), the body absorbs too much iron from food. It is brought about by changes in the HFE quality. Secondary hemochromatosis occurs following diseases such as liver disease and anemia, or blood transfusions (transfusional iron overload). Symptoms of excess iron include

• Joint and abdominal pain

• Weakness

• Tiredness

• Darkening of the skin

Too little iron can lead to iron deficiency. Lack of iron is the main source of frailty in the United States and is the most well-known wholesome lack.. It is caused by an increased need for iron in the body or by a reduced absorption of dietary iron. Symptoms include:

• Tiredness

• Reduction of work performance

• Cognitive and social dysfunctions in childhood

• Decreased immune function

• Inflamed tongue

If you are concerned that you are at risk of iron deficiency / overload, consider having your iron levels measured with appropriate tests.

Genes that affect iron levels

Variants of some genes can increase / decrease the body's ability to use and absorb iron. This can lead to an imbalance of iron levels in the blood and an increased risk of diseases such as anemia, even if an adequate amount of iron is consumed in the diet. An example of two of these genes are the TMPRSS6 and TF genes. Infants and children aged 1 to 3 years need 11 and 7 mg / day, respectively. Children aged 4 to 8 and 9 to 13 years need at least 10 and 8 mg / day, respectively. to reduce the risk of developmental delays and behavioral disturbances.

TMPRSS6

The TMPRSS6 gene decreases the production of a hormone called hepcidin. Hepcidin regulates the amount of dietary iron that is absorbed into the blood. Therefore, TMPRSS6 helps to keep iron levels in the blood not too low.

Hepcidin is significant on the grounds that elevated degrees of iron in the blood can be poisonous. Raising iron levels is also helpful during an infection, as nearly all pathogens require iron to reproduce, and the iron in our body is their only source.

Some people have genetic variants of the TMPRSS6 gene linked to abnormal changes in blood iron levels, which can cause iron deficiency.

TF

Another gene that helps the body use iron is the TF gene. This gene encodes proteins called transferrins. Transferrin is produced mainly in the liver and serves to transport iron in the body. After consuming iron, the digested iron is transferred from the intestine to the blood, where it binds to transferrin. Iron bound to transferrin is then transported throughout the blood throughout the body, making it available for many other important processes, such as cell division and red blood cell production. Genetic variants of the TF gene affect iron levels by affecting the ability of transferrin proteins to bind to iron. If the ability of transferrin to bind to iron is reduced, the body will have a harder time getting iron to where it is needed, resulting in iron deficiency.