What is the role of iron in the human body? An insufficient amount of this microelement can affect the general state of health and well-being. Iron is one of the most important values, because it is responsible for the production of hemoglobin in the blood, which supports the nutrition of organs, tissues and systems.
Why does the body need iron?
You can describe the role of iron in the human body briefly - this is one of the main chemical elements that is responsible for the normal functioning of the whole organism. This trace element is part of hemoglobin, which introduces oxygen into tissues and removes carbon from them.
Without iron, red blood cells cannot function properly, leading to oxygen starvation. All these processes affect the body in the most negative way; the heart and brain suffer the most from a lack of oxygen.
Iron functions
What is the role of iron in the human body? This trace element is contained in the body in small quantities, but it performs the following functions:
- supports the immune system;
- strengthens bone tissue;
- supports the pancreas;
- normalizes blood circulation;
- increases physical activity;
- supports the functioning of the nervous system.
Iron enters the body with food. In animal products, the trace element is contained in an easily digestible form. Iron is also present in plant products, but the body does not absorb it well from such sources.
Usually a microelement enters the body along with food and is affected by gastric juice in the digestive tract. Its full absorption occurs in the duodenum. This is how iron enters the bloodstream and binds it to protein, and then, together with the blood, it goes to the necessary parts of the body.
What foods contain a lot of iron?
What is the role of iron in the body? In fact, it is very significant, but for this it is necessary that the microelement steadily gets into it with food.
Products that are rich in iron should be present in the human diet at all times. Most trace elements found in food of animal origin. Iron is poorly absorbed from plant foods.
For better absorption, it helps: ascorbic acid, sorbitol and fructose. Tea and coffee adversely affect the absorption of iron, so immediately after a meal it is better to drink fruit juices. This will help the trace element to absorb faster.
Sources of iron of animal origin:
- meat (beef, pork, turkey and rabbit);
- liver;
- mackerel, pink salmon;
- egg yolk;
- snails, oysters.
Sources of plant origin:
- oat and buckwheat;
- beets, celery, tomatoes, pumpkin;
- dried apricots, dates, prunes, raisins;
- walnuts.
It is these products that are the source of iron, which is so important for the body to function properly.
Daily rate of iron in the body
Let us consider in detail what is the role of the element of iron in the human body. Of the total amount of a chemical element that enters the body with food, only one tenth is fully absorbed. This is due to the fact that products containing iron are absorbed in different ways. The main source of trace elements are animal products. The amount of iron needed for age groups is set separately.
For a child’s body, this dose is 5-15 mg, but with age, the necessary amount of trace element will increase.
The female body needs 20 mg; during pregnancy, the indicator rises to 30 mg.
For the male body, the daily norm is 10-15 mg. With heavy physical work, alcohol and smoking, the need for iron increases.
Signs of Iron Deficiency
What is the biological role of iron in the human body and signs of a trace element deficiency? The importance of iron can hardly be overestimated, its insufficient amount can cause malfunctions in the body.
Signs of iron deficiency include:
- pallor of the skin;
- asthma attacks;
- heart palpitations;
- headache and dizziness;
- serious changes in taste preferences - the constant intake of spicy foods, marinades, pickles;
- dry mouth, cracks around the lips;
- Depression
- weakening of immunity.
The risk group includes: pregnant women, athletes, children and adolescents during the growth period of the body. Categories of these people are subject to constant monitoring of hemoglobin in the blood.
Excess iron in the body
We have already found out what role iron plays in the human body, and how the lack of trace elements is manifested. Despite the need for sufficient intake of iron in the body, its excess also negatively affects health. Here are some signs of an increased level of trace elements that can be observed:
- the skin becomes icteric;
- itchy skin;
- the size of the liver increases;
- body weight decreases;
- heart rhythm disturbance occurs;
- age spots on the palms and armpits.
Similar symptoms can occur in very rare cases, or in people who are addicted to alcohol. Excess iron is dangerous in the form of impaired brain function and damage to the liver and kidneys.
Why is insufficient iron in the body dangerous?
What is the role of iron in the human body and what is the cause of micronutrient deficiency? Excess and shortage have a negative effect on human health.
If you do not make up for the level of trace elements in the blood in time, then it may develop:
- anemia;
- heart failure;
- arrhythmia;
- depression;
- persistent infectious diseases due to a decrease in immunity.
These are not all the consequences that occur when there is a shortage of iron in the body, but these changes in the state of health are observed quite often.
What to do if iron deficiency occurs?
Many people wonder: what is the role of iron in the human body and what to do if a deficiency of this trace element occurs? Yes, iron is a very important component for human health, but before making up for its loss, it is necessary to establish how significant its shortage is.
In some cases, for the trace element to enter the body in an appropriate amount, you need to change the diet, in others you need to take vitamins and medicines.
When confirming the diagnosis, the specialist prescribes such drugs:
- "Actiferin".
- "Sorbifer durules."
- "Ferrum Lek".
- Totem.
These medications have some contraindications, and they should be taken only as directed by a doctor. During treatment, "Ascorbic acid" and "Pantheatine" are prescribed, which will help improve the absorption of iron by the body and protect the stomach from exposure to aggressive chemical components. The time for taking the drugs is at least 2 months.
Rules for taking iron preparations:
- drink the drug with a little water;
- do not take tablets with calcium, tetracycline, levomycetin together with iron-containing drugs ;
- Do not increase the dose of the drug, even if a single dose is missed.
Adverse reactions of the body to the use of drugs can occur in the form of: nausea, decreased appetite, diarrhea or constipation, flatulence.
In some cases, to replenish the amount of iron, it is enough to take a vitamin complex that contains this trace element. The following types are available:
- Multi-Tabs.
- AlfaVit Classic.
- "Complies."
- Vitrum.
- Elevitprenatal.
The use of vitamin complexes is convenient in that their composition is completely balanced, and therefore iron is absorbed by the body completely. Their use makes it possible not to care about food products that contain this microelement.
Before taking vitamins, you need to consult a specialist in order to choose a complex that meets the individual characteristics of the body.
Iron deficiency prophylaxis
Knowing the information about the role of iron in the human body, it is worth considering prevention. According to WHO, iron deficiency conditions are the most common causes of metabolic disorders in humans. About 60% of the world's population suffers from a deficiency in the body's iron.
To prevent the occurrence of anemia in the diet, it is necessary to include products containing iron in sufficient quantities. Only a balanced diet will reduce the risk of such phenomena.
When the body does not receive the necessary amount of iron with food, then a person can resort to taking a special vitamin complex. And only when specialists diagnose anemia, it is necessary to start taking iron-containing drugs.
The role of iron in the human body cannot be underestimated, therefore, if it is found to be deficient, an individual examination should be done, and only in this case should drugs that contain this trace element be taken.