Iron acts with protein and copper to make hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying component of red blood cells. Iron is a cofactor to oxygen as they work hand in hand. Iron is responsible for attracting oxygen to the body and carrying oxygen to all systems, tissues, and organs.
Iron combines with other nutrients to produce vital blood proteins and is involved in food metabolism. Without iron, the body cannot survive long since the metabolism would decrease and atrophy. The three to five grams of iron in the body are found primarily as a component of hemoglobin and myoglobin, which are oxygen carrying and releasing substances.
Without sufficient iron (hematin), the body can't manufacture
enough new blood cells packed with hemoglobin, charged to transport
oxygen in the blood. Oxidation could not occur without iron
in the hemoglobin of the red cells. Oxygen burns waste materials
to prevent them from building up in the body. As iron promotes
oxygen in the body it increases its free use and enhances motor
function, mental vitality, liver, kidney and heart function
as well as arterial elasticity. Iron helps to raise blood pressure,
improve circulation, and promotes better digestion and elimination.
Iron is one of the most recognized minerals in society, especially amongst women as they lose large amounts of iron in their body due to menstruation and childbirth. Iron deficiency is one of the most common deficiencies in the world and is a common condition amongst men as well as women. Roughly 20 percent of North Americans are deficient of this mineral. In addition to its predominance in the red corpuscles, iron is found in gastric juices, lymph fluid, bile, eye pigment, hair and skin. Sixty to seventy percent of tissue iron is classified as essential or functional and only forty percent is storage iron.
Iron - Functions and
Benefits
Ensures oxygenation of blood
Combines with protein and copper in making hemoglobin
Converts into hematin to carry oxygen to cells
In conjunction with oxygen raises metabolism, promotes ambition and reasoning ability
Builds up the quality of the blood and increases resistance to stress and disease
Prevents fatigue and promotes good skin tone
Common Deficiency Symptoms
Weakness, fatigue,
paleness of skin
Colds, throat and chest troubles
Irritability, confusion and dizziness
Constipation
- If you are pregnant or nursing do not take any form of vitamin
supplement unless you have discussed its use with your doctor.
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