Researches done in the past have showed that iron deficiency can cause physiologic, morphologic, and biochemical changes in the orangs affected by it before there is a change in hematocrit (Beard JL, 2001).
Iron is an essential micronutrient that is needed by the body because it is required for several neurological metabolic processes such as: myelination, cytokinesis, electron transport, antioxidant enzyme activity, and biogenic metabolism (Hyman, 2012).
Iron also plays an important role in the developing central nervous system of an infant due to the fact that iron participates in a wide variety of cellular function and is essential for normal neural development and physiology (Hyman, 2012). Thus, iron deficiency during an infant’s neurological development is a critical point because it can significantly impact a variety of behavioral and cognitive function.
The part of the brain that is affected by iron depletion is the deep cerebral nuclei, substantia nigra, and basal ganglia (Hyman, 2012). These three parts of the brain are the ones that have the highest concentration of iron in an adult’s brain and they are involved in the coordination and motor control of the body (Lozoff B, 2011). An iron deficient adult also shows a decrease in dopamine neurotransmission, which relates to the motor control (Lozoff B, 2011). In addition, dopamine also plays a role in the prefrontal-striatal system, which is involved in selective memory, spatial, and working memory (Lozoff B,
If a person is not absorbing nutrients adequately, a blood test will detect this lack of nutrient absorption resulting in the decreased of iron absorption. Also, this inability to absorb certain nutrients may cause vitamin deficiencies. These deficiencies deprive the brain, peripheral nervous system, bones, liver and other organs of vital nourishment (Dugdale III, Longstreth, & Zieve, 2010).
Iron is one of the important minerals that is required for our bodies to function properly. Most of the iron in our body is found in the blood such as haemoglobin, approximately 60 -70% of the human body’s iron is found in the haemoglobin, a protein in the blood that transports oxygen. Iron is also present in muscle tissue and some enzymes. There are two types of iron in the body which are “Heme Iron” from animal products and “Non-Heme Iron” vegetables and
Iron is an essential element in the human body. It can be found in the hemoglobin and transferrin of the bloodstream, and in myoglobin in muscle tissue. The main purpose of iron is to transfer oxygen within the body. To gain iron, humans must consume a diet that consist abundantly of iron such as leaf vegetables, fish, beans, etc. Absorption of iron is especially important because less than 15% of iron in daily diets are absorbed and used (Jacobs 1971). The formation of iron (II) occurs in the stomach because of its low
The mineral iron (Fe) is a crucial substance for the human body. Many parts of the body, including red blood cells, require iron in order for the body to function normally. Only specific amounts of iron are absorbed by the body to maintain homeostasis. However, iron is a very toxic mineral so if there is too much iron stored in the body, it can lead to serious consequences. People that suffer from haemochromatosis, a hereditary iron disorder, are unable to regulate the amount of iron absorbed from their diet. Almost all iron in the intestine is absorbed into the blood stream and because the human body has no major way to rid of excess iron, it is stored in organs and joints of the body where it can cause serious harm. Typically, the body stores one gram or less of iron but people with haemochromatosis can have up
Proper nutrition of macro and micronutrients is critical for optimal cellular metabolism and function, growth, development, health promotion and the prevention of disease. Due to the direct correlation of nutrition and health, alterations in nutrition can negatively impact all areas of a person’s health including; glucose regulation, immunity, thermoregulation, tissue integrity, hormone regulation, perfusion and cardiac health. Deficient health can negatively affect nutritional status in the form of intake and absorption. Iron deficient anemia (IDA) is a condition that develops through either chronic blood loss or inadequate dietary intake, or a combination of both, leading to inadequate iron in the blood.
Known as iron overload, hemochromatosis is a condition in which the body accumulated iron from any cause. The most common cause however is from a genetic disorder which is termed, hereditary hemochromatosis (HH). Iron is found in red blood cells, which is a major component on the transportation of oxygen throughout the body. We lose about 1mg per day through our sweat and sheading of our skin and GI cells. We intake approximately 10-20mg a day, yet only absorb approximately 10% of its which makes a net gain of about 1-2mg a day. The iron is stored in cells in the form as ferritin. The iron lost and gained is always closely equal in healthy patients. Patients suffering from hemochromatosis absorb approximately 4mg of iron a day,
“We are excited by the possibilities that reducing iron levels in the substantia nigra offer
Children at risk for developing iron deficiency anemia are due to numerous causes, which include:
Most of the iron in our body is found in the blood as hemoglobin, which is a protein used to carry oxygen to the body's tissues. Good sources of iron in food include red meat, beans, fish, and green leafy vegetables. Iron is a key element in the metabolism of almost all living organisms. Iron is so important that without it all life would cease to exist. Every living thing, plants, animals, human beings, bacteria (good and bad), need iron to survive and
When it comes to nutrition and diseases there are multiple factors that correlate to a specific long-term illness. For my research paper, I decided to look into Chronic Anemia because it is something that affects many individuals regardless of age. This is an issue that is very prominent in many communities. Chronic Anemia is sought to occur after a person is diagnosed with Iron Deficiency Anemia that is the primary cause. Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDF) is formed throughout time due to the lack of iron and characterized by red cell shrinkage and color loss (Seizer, pg.320). Afterwards Chronic Anemia is developed meaning that the disease, circulating iron levels are low, RE stores are high, and intestinal iron absorption is decreased (20, 21)
Since the body is unable to metabolize high doses of iron, the excess iron intake start to irritate the lining of the gastrointestinal tract of the body leading to a variety of problems
Iron Deficiency within women is a lot higher then that in males, this is due to gender specifications that differ between males and females such as a monthly menstruation and a large portion of female athletes planning to be vegetarian/ vegan. In saying this, the management of iron Deficiency should be managed, as Appendix A states; ‘Iron deficiency is a “needless” problem… “I see it as an education problem”’. Females, especially female endurance athletes are encouraged to constantly keep normal Iron levels as it allows for a better performance on
•The cause of iron deficiency anemia is diet, if you don’t eat enough foods high in iron, inability to absorb iron, Crohn’s disease may cause low iron levels, growth spurts, children younger than 3 years of age grow so fast that their bodies may have a hard time keeping up with the amount of iron they need, pregnancy, women who are breastfeeding need more iron than women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding, blood loss, and genetic disease such as sickle cell disease.
Iron is an essential element for almost all living organisms because of its role in several metabolic process including electron transport, oxygen transport, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis.1 However, iron needs to be tightly regulated because it can form free radicals and lead to tissue damage. Non-protein bound iron causes the release of a hydroxyl radical by superoxide and hydrogen
Iron deficiency anemia is quite common in children, as iron is needed to support growth. A lack of iron in the diet can cause delays in brain development, which may be irreversible. Common symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include irritability, palor, weakness, and cold hands and feet. Prevention of anemia is crucial for expectant mothers, as anemic women are at a higher risk for delivery complications such as hemorrhaging and having infants of low-birth weight. (Frantz, C. 2010).