Iron+(Fe)

One of the most common elements in nature; it is grey and the amount of it contained in the body varies from 5-7grams. 50mg./kg. of body weight in males 35mg./kg. of body weight in females 75mg./kg. of body weight in infants

This can be haeminic iron (iron combined w/ a prophyrin): haemoglobin, myoglobin, cytochromes and various enzymes or non-haeminic iron: siderophilin, ferritin and haemosiderin iron

Potentially toxic and should only be taken as a supplement if there is a prolonged deficiency.

The body only retains on average about 25% of what is called heme iron (in meat and fish) and only 1-10% of iron from other foods. The body stores reserves of iron in the liver, marrow and spleen, but it only resorts to using them if dietary intake is deficient.

=Role of Iron= -An essential component of hemoglobin -Essential for tissue oxygenation and respiratory functions -Allows the formation of muscular myoglobin -Contributes to the activity of numerous enzymes (energy transfer)

=Pro-Compounds= B9, B12, C, Cobalt, Phosphorus

=Anti-Compounds= Calcium, Coffee, Tea, Phosphorus and Zinc (in excess)

=Daily Requirements= 10 (under 18) ||
 * AGE || Mg./Day ||
 * 0-6 months || .27 ||
 * 7-12 months || 11 ||
 * 1-3 years || 7 ||
 * 4-8 years || 10 ||
 * 9-13 years || 8 ||
 * 14-18 years (Male) || 15 ||
 * 14-18 years (Female) || 11 ||
 * 19+ years (Male) || 18 ||
 * 19+ years (Female) || 8 ||
 * During Pregnancy || 27 ||
 * During Breastfeeding || 9 (over 18)

=Deficiency= 3 levels of deficiency: -Iron reserves are low (ferritin levels), but iron intake is suficient -Iron intake is sufficiently low to inhibit the formation of red blood cells (body uses it's reserves}, but not enough for anemia to be measurable -Iron deficiency anemia. Levels in blod are insufficient to form red blood cells, the number of erythrocytes is lower than normal and their level of hemoglobins are reduced.

Symptoms include: -Fatigue -Quickened Heart Rhythm -Palpitations -Quickened breath w/ effort -Decrease in intellectual performance -Slow cognitive development during childhood -Difficulty maintaining normal body temperature -Weakened immune function

=Excess= -Gastro-intestinal irritation -Abdominal Pain -Constipation or diarrhea -Nausea and vomiting -Parkinson's is correlated Prolonged supplementation at high doses can cause hemosiderosis.

=Sources=
 * FOOD || SERVING || IRON ||
 * Heme Iron ||  ||   ||
 * Clams, canned || 85g. || 23.6mg.. ||
 * Clams, boiled || 60g. (5 large) || 16.8mg. ||
 * Chicken Liver, cooked || 74g. || 6.3mg. ||
 * Beef Liver, cooked || 85g. || 5.3mg. ||
 * Roast Beef (Blade Roast) || 88g. || 3.1mg. ||
 * Ground Turkey, cooked || 82g. || 1.6mg. ||
 * Sardines, canned (Atlantic) || 48g. (4) || 1.4mg. ||
 * Heme Iron ||  ||   ||
 * Tofu || 115g. || 6.2mg. ||
 * Pumpkin Seeds, shelled || 30g. || 4.5mg. ||
 * Soy Beans, cooked || 125ml. || 4.5mg. ||
 * White Beans, canned || 125ml. || 4.1mg. ||
 * Black Molasses || 1tbsp. || 3.6mg. ||
 * Lentils, boiled || 125ml. || 3.5mg. ||
 * Spinach, boiled || 125ml. || 3.4mg.. ||
 * Potato, baked w/ skin || 202g. (1 large) || 2.7mg. ||
 * Tomato Pasta || 75ml. || 2.5mg. ||

Iron-rich Food Supplements
-Seaweed -Sawater -Plasma Marinum -Powdered Oysters -Molasses -Pollen

=Therapeutic Indications= -Hemorrhage -Dysmenorrhea -Fatigue -Anemia -Blood Donations -Colitis -Alcoholism Iron supplements can only be taken when recommended by a physician

=
==================================================================== //Medical Nutrition// -Recognized first in 1713 as a body constituent / dietary essential in 1860 • -3-5gm are in body with 1/3rd in storage in spleen, liver and bone marrow • -2/3rd found in hemoglobin • -Bound in blood to transferrin, stored as ferritin in blood and tissue. • -Reduced (acidic environment) iron is absorbed better, as is heme iron vs. non-heme iron. • -HCl and VitC increase absorption • Absorption occurs in the proximal small intestines • -If no iron is needed transferrin will remain saturated in the gut and it will not bring it across gut. • -Excretion occurs thru bleeding, feces and sweat. Minute amounts are lost thru hair, skin and nails. • -Absorption is facilitated by acid and amino acids (See p116-Marz) • -Inhibition of absorption occurs with oxalates, tannins, phytates, carbonates, phosphate, noncellulose fiber, low HCl, protein deficiency, high iron stores, infection, inflammation and excess competitive cations like Pb++, Cu++, Mn++, Cd++ and Zn++

Function
• Used in hemoglobin to carry oxygen to cells. • RDA – 18mg/d females/ 10mg/d males • ODI: 0-60mg/d (1 in 12 has hemochromatosis)

• Deficiency: Symptoms- fatigue, weakness, anorexia, pica (?d/t iron containing enzymes), sore tongue, (glossitis) nail spooning, inc. infections, brittle nails, canker sores, hair loss, impaired mentation. • Causes: Dec. HCl, decreased intake, blood loss, Calcium
 * SOURCES:** Cast iron, liver, tofu, molasses, amaranth, …
 * • Lab**: ferritin (~60), TIBC, Transferrin saturation, MCV low <83, Hct<37, Hgb<11

Treatment
• 1. Anemia • 2. Menorrhagia • 3. Decreased immune function • 4. Restless leg syndrome • 5. Chronic canker sores? Ferritin • 6. Glossitis (B1 and folate too) • 7. Hair loss • 8. ADD

Toxicity
• Hemochromatosis – deposition of iron in tissue, causing tissue damage. TL Oct2000 p32 • Excess iron deposits in hemosiderin characterize hemosiderosis – normal iron storage protein. This can be caused by excess VitC intake. Excess iron levels are associated with constipation, heart disease and brain degeneration. People who give blood live longer. • TL Dec 2002 people who took lower levels of iron with Hep C had normal liver ez & lived longer. • Interactions: -Tricyclic antidepressants with iron deficiency- jitteriness • -Thyroxine reduces iron stores, hyper thyroid decreased iron levels • -ACE inhibitors cough reduced with iron • -Ciprofloxin • CASE: Baby with severe colic, constipation