2. IRON
• The total body iron content of normal adults is
4.3 and 2.3gms in men and women respectively.
• Iron is an essential mineral that carries oxygen
and forms part of the haemoglobin in our red
blood cells and myoglobin in muscle.
• Iron is primarily stored in the liver, spleen and
bone marrow in the form of ferritin.
3. FUNCTIONS
• The purpose of Iron is to help red blood cells
carry oxygen to all parts of the body.
• Almost two-thirds of the iron in your body is
found in hemoglobin, the protein in red blood
cells that carries oxygen to your body’s tissues.
• Smaller amounts of iron are found in myoglobin,
a protein that helps supply oxygen to muscle, and
in enzymes that assist biochemical reactions in
cells
4. SOURCES FOR IRON
• Liver, egg yolk red meat, fish and shellfish,
lentils, beans and soy foods, green leafy
vegetables, and raisins.
• Milk is very low in iron.
• Iron utensils also increases iron content of
food.
5. ABSORPTION
• Site :proximal portion of intestine
• The absorption of iron in normal persons is only 5-10 %
of iron taken in food is absorbed.
• Normal absorption is about
0.5 to 1 mg/day in adult male.
1 to 2 mg/day in normal menstruating women.
3 to 4 mg/day during pregnancy.
• Loss of iron :The body use iron very efficiently and very
little amount is lost which amounts to 0.5 to 1 mg iron
loss/ day
8. FACTOR INCREASES IRON ABSORPTION
• Low body stores of iron.
• Condition associated with increased rate of
erythrpoiesis.
• Taking ascorbic acid, succinic acid , fructose and
sorbitol along with iron.
• Intake of inorganic iron.
• Pathological conditions
Hemochromatosis
Cirrhosis of liver
Pancreatic insufficency
9. FACTOR INHIBITING IRON
ABSORPTION
• Malabsorption syndromes.
• Diarrheal disease.
• An excess of phosphates, oxalates and phytic
acid.
• Subtotal gastrectomy
• Surgical removal of the upper small intestine.
• Food intake along with iron.
• Antacid therapy.
• Chronic infections.
• High body stores of iron.
10. DISEASE STATES
• Iron deficiency Anemia.
• Hemochromatosis.
• Hemosiderosis.
• Iron deficiency during pregnancy.
