Iron
By: Rehan Khan
Role
Iron is essential not only for humans but also for most other organisms on Earth.
- Iron is needed to produce red blood cells
- Iron is used in hemoglobin to carry oxygen throughout the body
- Iron is used by cytochromes in mitochondria to oxidize organic acids into CO2 and water
Consequences of insufficient levels of Iron
Lack of Iron could result in:
- Depression
- Fragile bones
- Fatigue
Also many patients tend to develop a disease called Iron Deficiency Anemia. Anemia is when your body cannot make enough red blood cells. This may result in any of the symptoms listed above
Major Sources of Iron
- Clams
- Cereal
- Oysters
- Organ Meats such as liver
- Soy Beans
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Spinach
- Lentils