Iron is an essential mineral that is needed for oxygen transport in the body’s blood and muscles. It is a major component in making hemoglobin in red blood cells and myoglobin in muscles. Hemoglobin and myoglobin are two proteins that transport oxygen from the lungs to the body’s muscles via blood. Iron also plays a role in energy metabolism. During exercise, iron aids the body by converting carbohydrates into energy and supplying the muscles with fresh oxygen. There are two forms of iron, heme and non-heme. Heme iron is absorbed the best and is found in animal foods such as meat, poultry, and fish. Non-heme iron is found in both animal and plant foods, but is harder to absorb. Low levels of iron can result in iron deficiency anemia if not
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Athletes are at increased risk due to their dependence on oxygen circulating through their lungs, blood, and muscles during exercise. Pregnant women, women during their menstruating periods, vegetarians, blood donors, and infants are also at risk for low iron levels and iron deficiency anemia. Symptoms of low levels of iron include: fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness. If left untreated, iron deficiency anemia can lead to heart, pregnancy, and growth problems. Doctors are able to diagnose iron deficiency through different tests and able to identify the cause. Iron supplements are usually recommended for people who don’t consume enough iron in their diet, whose bodies can’t absorb an adequate amount of iron, and people who suffer with iron deficiency anemia. Overdosing in iron can also lead to serious side effects such as depression, liver failure, and bone damage. Those who have an iron overload are instructed to drink milk, tea, and coffee because they contain the compound tannins, which inhibits iron …show more content…
In most people only 10 to 15% of iron is absorbed from their diets. Hepcidin is the hormone that regulates blood iron concentration. It is secreted by the liver and limits how much iron the small intestine absorbs and how much is released from the body. When there are low iron levels, hepcidin release is put on hold to increase the amount of iron being absorbed and raise blood iron concentration. When there is an excess amount of iron in the diet, hepcidin is secreted to decrease the amount of iron stored in the body (Sizer & Whitney,
Athletes are at increased risk due to their dependence on oxygen circulating through their lungs, blood, and muscles during exercise. Pregnant women, women during their menstruating periods, vegetarians, blood donors, and infants are also at risk for low iron levels and iron deficiency anemia. Symptoms of low levels of iron include: fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness. If left untreated, iron deficiency anemia can lead to heart, pregnancy, and growth problems. Doctors are able to diagnose iron deficiency through different tests and able to identify the cause. Iron supplements are usually recommended for people who don’t consume enough iron in their diet, whose bodies can’t absorb an adequate amount of iron, and people who suffer with iron deficiency anemia. Overdosing in iron can also lead to serious side effects such as depression, liver failure, and bone damage. Those who have an iron overload are instructed to drink milk, tea, and coffee because they contain the compound tannins, which inhibits iron …show more content…
In most people only 10 to 15% of iron is absorbed from their diets. Hepcidin is the hormone that regulates blood iron concentration. It is secreted by the liver and limits how much iron the small intestine absorbs and how much is released from the body. When there are low iron levels, hepcidin release is put on hold to increase the amount of iron being absorbed and raise blood iron concentration. When there is an excess amount of iron in the diet, hepcidin is secreted to decrease the amount of iron stored in the body (Sizer & Whitney,