Posts Tagged ‘Body Iron’

Say No to Iron Deficiency With Ayurveda

Comments: 0March 11th, 2011 by admin



One of the most important components of the human body, which ensures a normal functioning of the body-system, is iron. As the primary component of hemoglobin, iron acts as the oxygen carrier in the blood and is normally obtained through consumption of certain foods. After calcium, iron is the second most important mineral in the body. Iron is essential for the transportation of oxygen in the blood to all parts of the body. It is highly beneficial for a positive immune activity and also helps in the proper functioning of the liver. Iron provides protection against the free radicals and facilitates in the formation of hemoglobin and certain essential enzymes. Many metabolic processes and the regulation of cell growth and differentiation are also carried out with the help of iron.

Poor absorption of iron in the body could lead to iron deficiency that could further amount to anemia. Inadequate daily intake of iron, pregnancy, blood loss due to heavy menstruation or internal bleeding could also lead to an iron deficiency. People who experience a loss of iron levels in the body undergo a gradual process of having a negative iron balance. This happens when the iron intake does not meet the daily need for dietary iron. This results into depletion of the storage form of iron even as the blood hemoglobin level remains normal. Anemia is triggered once the storage sites of iron are deficient and blood levels of iron cannot meet daily needs.

Symptoms of anemia range from weakness, lethargy, dizziness to palpitations, short breath, sourness of the gums and severe headaches.

Diagnosis of an iron deficiency can be carried out without any fuss. Consulting a doctor would definitely help after which the individual would be required to take few blood tests for red blood cell count and hemoglobin; size of red blood cells, serum iron level, and iron binding capacity in the blood.

Treatment for iron-deficiency can begin at home itself. Consuming iron-rich foods is a must for everyone and it becomes even more critical for someone suffering from a deficiency of iron in the body. Daily multivitamin dosage along with a minimal exposure to lead and other toxic metals such as aluminum, cadmium and mercury would be a great beginning against iron deficiency. Also excess consumption of alcohol and smoking should be avoided.

Another alternate remedy for iron-deficiency and anemia is Ayurveda. Ayurveda recommends the consumption of beets, fenugreek, lettuce, spinach, soya beans, sesame seeds and honey for an iron-filled diet. One of the most successful and highly potent products of Ayurveda is AnemiCare. It is an age-old remedy for the treatment of anemia and fatigue. By creating calmness of mind, it helps the body’s natural autonomic nervous system to be restored with alkaline and acidic balance.

Along with natural Iron, it also contains Emblica Officinalis, which is a rich natural source of vitamin C and Calcium; both beneficial for proper assimilation of Iron in the blood. Ayurveda is the most effective solution to all kinds of problems relating to iron-deficiency in the body.

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Iron Functions and Deficiency

Comments: 0December 16th, 2010 by admin



Functions on the Body: Iron is generally absorbed from the whole of the gastro intestinal tract but most of it comes from the upper part of the small intestine mainly the duodenum. Dietary Iron is absorbed through the mucosal cells in ferrous form. Iron in diet is present in ferric state which is reduced to ferrous during absorption, with the help of Vitamin C, glutathione and amino acid -SH groups. After entering the mucosal cell in ferrous form, the iron molecules are soon reconverted into ferric state, which combine with a protein, apoferritin of the mucosal cells to form ferritin. Such ferritin is one of the storage forms of iron in the tissues, which passes into the blood. This ferritn iron gets reduced into ferrous from with the help of Vitamin C and enters the blood stream. After entering the blood stream this ferrous iron is re-oxidised into ferric from unde the catalytic action of copper-binding protein ceruloplasmin, and combines with iron binding globulin transferrin or iderophilin of the plasma. Thus the Transferrin iron complex is the transport form of iron of the plasma and is carried to the different tissues of the body. The protein-bound iron in the plasma per 100 ml is about 120-140 mcg in males, and 90-120 mcg in females. The total iron-binding capacity is about 300-360 mcg per 100 ml in both sexes.

The absorption of iron depends upon

1) Iron requirement of the individual e.g. increased during growth, anaemias, menstruation pregnancy, haemorrhage, etc.

2) Form of iron compound e.g. the inorganic form of ferric available in food is to be first converted into organic ferrous form for best absorption.

3) Reaction of the gastro intestinal tract e.g., the acidity of gastric juice helps liberation of iron from organic compounds of diet, and reduction from ferric to ferrous form of iron. Thus absorption is retarded by low gastric acidity, excessive mucus, administration of alkalies.

4) Vitamin C and Calcium e.g., Vitamin C helps in reducing the ferric to ferrous state for absorption of iron form food. Small amount of Calcium decreases the formation of insoluble iron phosphates and thus promote absorption, but large amounts of Calcium inhibit assimilation.

5) Pigments i.e., Chlorophyll and bile pigments increase the absorption of iron.

The rate of absorption of iron depends on the iron requirement for haemoglobin synthesis. After a single dose of iron, serum iron rises in 30 mts reaching to maximum in 3-5 hrs (0.35 mg %) compared to normal 0.10 mg %), returning to normal in 12 hours, and completing the maximum absorption in 18 hrs. Haemoglobin in the blood falls when iron loss exceeds that of iorn absorption and anaemia develops.

The functions of Iorn consist of

1) Formation of haemoglobin (Hb) by synthesis which is its primary function.

2) Development of red cells by their formation and maturation.

3) Carrying of Oxygen in blood in the form of Hb; 1 gm of Hb carries about 1.34 ml of oxygen.

4) Tissue oxidation as cytochrome and indophenol oxidase is iron-containing compounds concerned with the oxidation of metabolites in the cells.

5) Supply of Oxygen to the muscle, as the myoglobin of muscle is an iron-containing chromoprotein like haeemoglomin, which combines will oxygen and acts as an oxygen store for muscle.

6) Cell nucleus function, the chromatin of the nucleus contains iron which takes an active part (may be oxidative) in the functions of nuclei,

7) Oxidation in nerve cells, as nissl granules in the cytoplasm of the nerve cells contain organically combined iron, which serves an essential role in oxidation. Their granules disappear during activity of the nerve cells, and reappear during rest.

8) Prevents fatigue and aids growth. Iron increases resistance to stress and disease.

Deficiency Indicators: Nutrients like iron, folic acid, and vitamin B-12 are required to avoid nutritional anaemia. About 80% of the total anaemic cases are due to lack of iron. Iron deficiency anaemia is a neglect tragedy. Also, unlike other nutrition deficiencies, anaemia is not visible. Iron deficiency causes secondary anaemia (hypochromic), as the haemoglobin content of the red cells is lowered. The size and volume of the red cells get reduced. Milk anaemia does not even send out warning signals.

However when it gets worse you may feel fatigued, lethargic, vulnerable to infections and irritable. The deficiency of iron results in lowered resistance to disease, general run out, pale complexion, shortness of breath on exertion, loss of interest in sex, mental depression, and irritability. The iron status can be evaluated by measurement of serum ferritin. The normal value of haemoglobin levels is 12 gm/dl for women and 13 gm/dl for men. (1 dl=100ml)

Iron deficiency is commonly seen among growing children, menstruating and pregnant women, and anyone suffering from parasitic diseases such as hookworms, and malaria. Excessive physical activity or exercise can also make a person anaemic as the body uses up more iron. With iron deficiency you might feel colder than others and take time to warm up, as in this condition your body may produce low thyroid hormone (which is one of its heat regulators). Know more about Iron- Functions and its deficiency

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Iron Rich Foods For Vegetarians

Comments: 0July 22nd, 2009 by admin



Iron is an important element for your body to utilize in hemoglobin, which transports oxygen in your blood to all the parts of your body. It’s also necessary for many metabolic reactions in your body. Iron deficiency and the resulting anemia is the most widespread mineral deficiency.

Iron is needed for your body to form the red pigment in your blood, also known as hemoglobin. The iron within your hemoglobin combines with oxygen and takes it throughout your whole body, its organs and its tissues. The average human body contains between 3.5 and 4.5 grams of iron, and two-thirds of that is in your hemoglobin. The rest of your iron is stored in your bone marrow, spleen and liver. A very small amount is also stored in myoglobin, which stores oxygen in the tissue of your muscles.

If your body is deficient in its stores of iron, it can lead to anemia. If the iron stores become depleted, then your synthesis of hemoglobin can be inhibited. Symptoms of anemia include pallor, loss of appetite, insomnia, headaches, breathlessness, lack of stamina and tiredness. All of these symptoms are associated with a lowered oxygen supply to your organs and tissues. Iron is also important to your immune system, so people with low levels of iron have a lower resistance to infection.

Research has also shown that low levels of iron can be associated with impaired function of the brain. Iron deficiency in infants can result in behavior problems and impaired learning ability.

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional problem worldwide. It has been stated by researchers that two-thirds of children and women of child-bearing age in third-world countries suffer from a lack of iron. And one third of the people in those areas suffer from severe iron deficiency and anemia.

If you are a vegetarian, you will not get iron from meat, which is a usual source of haem. In plant foods, you will find only non-haem iron. This iron is harder to absorb, so more plant foods must be eaten to take in proper amounts of iron.

The rate at which your body can absorb iron from vegetables is also influenced by the other things you may eat with your meals. Phosphates in plant foods can inhibit the rate of absorption, as can the tannin that is often found in tea. Fiber may also inhibit iron absorption.

Vitamin C helps your body to absorb plant-type iron. These include leafy green vegetables, green peppers and citrus fruits. Alcohol, amino acids, sugars and citric acid also helps your body better absorb iron.

Some of the better foods high in iron for vegetarians include dried fruits, kidney beans, lentils, blackstrap molasses, leafy green vegetables and whole grain flours and cereals.

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Iron Deficiency – Anemia

Comments: 0April 2nd, 2009 by admin



Etiology:
Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common form of anemia. Although in many developing countries dietary deficiency of metal can occur, in developed nations the primary trigger is reduction of iron, nearly usually through blood reduction in the GI or genitourinary tracts.

Due to recurrent menstrual blood reduction, premenopausal women represent the population with the highest incidence of metal deficiency. The incidence in this group is even greater due to metal losses throughout pregnancy, simply because the building fetus efficiently extracts maternal metal for use in its personal hematopoiesis.

In men or in postmenopausal ladies with iron deficiency, GI bleeding is usually the trigger. Blood reduction in this case may be because of to relatively benign problems, this kind of as peptic ulcer, arteriovenous malformations, or angiodysplasia (little vascular abnormalities along the intestinal walls). More severe causes are inflammatory bowel disease or malignancy.

Endoscopic investigation to exclude malignancy is mandatory in sufferers without a known cause of metal deficiency. You will find other less common causes of metal deficiency, but nearly all are related to blood reduction: Bleeding problems, hemoptysis, and hemoglobinuria are the chief possibilities.

Pathogenesis:
Body iron stores are usually sufficient to last a number of years, but there’s a constant reduction of iron in totally wholesome persons, such that iron balance depends upon sufficient intake and absorption. Dietary metal is primarily absorbed within the duodenum.

Absorption is increased in the setting of anemia, hypoxia, and systemic metal deficiency. Iron can also be recycled from senescent erythrocytes via macrophage phagocytosis and lysis. The export of iron to plasma from these cellular sites is regulated by hepcidin, a 25-amino acid peptide created through the liver. Hepcidin binds to ferroportin, a transmembrane protein, inducing its internalization and lysosomal degradation.

When iron stores are low, hepcidin manufacturing is decreased and ferroportin molecules are expressed on the basolateral membrane of enterocytes, where they transfer iron in the cytoplasm of enterocytes to plasma transferrin.

Conversely, when metal stores are adequate or increased, hepcidin manufacturing is elevated, resulting within the internalization of ferroportin and reduced export of metal into plasma. In inflammatory states, hepcidin manufacturing is elevated, leading to the internalization of ferroportin on macrophages and also the trapping of recycled metal within macrophage shops.

Iron is stored in most physique cells as ferritin, a mixture of metal and also the protein apoferritin. It can also be saved as hemosiderin, that is ferritin partly stripped from the apoferritin protein shell. Iron is transported in blood bound to its carrier protein transferrin. Simply because of the complex interactions in between these molecules, a easy measurement of serum iron rarely reflects body iron stores (see later discussion).

Iron is discovered predominantly in hemoglobin and is existing also in myoglobin, the oxygen-storing protein of skeletal muscle. The main role for iron is as the ion within the center of the body’s oxygen-carrying molecule, heme. Held stably within the ferrous form through the other atoms in heme, iron reversibly binds oxygen.

Each protein subunit of hemoglobin consists of 1 heme molecule; simply because hemoglobin exists as a tetramer, four iron molecules are needed in each hemoglobin unit. When there’s iron deficiency, the final action in heme synthesis is interrupted. In this action, ferrous metal is inserted into protoporphyrin IX through the enzyme ferrochelatase; when heme synthesis is interrupted, there is inadequate heme production.

Globin biosynthesis is inhibited by heme deficiency via a heme-regulated translational inhibitor (HRI). Increased HRI activity (a result of heme deficiency) inhibits a crucial transcription initiation factor for heme synthesis, eIF2. Thus, much less heme and fewer globin chains are available in every red cell precursor. This immediately causes anemia, a decrease within the hemoglobin concentration of the blood.

As noted, heme is also the oxygen acceptor in myoglobin; therefore, metal deficiency will also lead to reduced myoglobin production. Other proteins also are dependent on iron; most of these are enzymes. Many use metal within the heme molecule, but some use elemental metal. Even though the precise implications of metal deficiency on their activity isn’t recognized, these enzymes are essential to metabolism, power manufacturing, DNA synthesis, as well as brain function.

Pathology:
As metal shops are depleted, the peripheral blood smear pattern evolves. In early iron deficiency, the hemoglobin degree from the blood falls but individual erythrocytes appear typical. In response to a falling oxygen degree, erythropoietin amounts rise and stimulate the marrow, but the hemoglobin level can’t rise in response because of the metal deficiency.

Other hormones are presumably also stimulated, however, and the resulting “revved-up” marrow usually causes an increased blood vessels platelet count. An increased white cell count is less typical. Reticulocytes are notably absent. At some point, the hemoglobin concentration of person tissue falls, leading to the classic picture of microcytic, hypochromic erythrocytes.

This is most generally found as an abnormally low MCV of red tissue on the automated hemogram. There is also substantial anisocytosis and poikilocytosis, observed on the peripheral smear, and target tissue may be seen. The target shape occurs simply because there’s a relative excess of red cell membrane in comparison using the amount of hemoglobin inside the cell, so that the membrane bunches up within the middle. Laboratory results are often confusing.

A low serum ferritin degree is diagnostic of metal deficiency, but even in obvious instances, amounts could be typical; ferritin amounts rise in acute or chronic inflammation or substantial illnesses, which can themselves be the cause of metal (blood vessels) loss.

Serum iron levels fall in many illnesses, and amounts of its serum carrier, transferrin, fluctuate as nicely, so neither of them is really a consistent indicator of metal deficiency, nor is their ratio, the transferrin saturation. If ferritin levels aren’t diagnostic, clinical practice now focuses on measuring soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) within the serum.

Transferrin receptors (TfRs) are membrane glycoproteins that facilitate metal transport from plasma transferrin into body tissue. Erythroid precursors increase their expression of membrane TfR in the setting of metal deficiency but not anemia of chronic disease. Some membrane TfR is released into the serum as sTfR. The quantity of sTfR within the serum reflects the amount of membrane TfR.

A higher ratio of sTfR to ferritin predicts iron deficiency when ferritin isn’t diagnostically reduced. Other than observing a hematologic response to empiric iron supplementation, bone marrow biopsy can be utilized to confirm a diagnosis of metal deficiency. Iron is usually discovered in the macrophages from the marrow, where it supplies erythrocyte precursors;

intracellular hemosiderin is very easily visualized with Prussian blue stain. These macrophages don’t stain whatsoever if there is metal deficiency.

Clinical Manifestations:
All anemias lead to traditional signs or symptoms of reduced oxygen-carrying capability (ie, exhaustion, weakness, and shortness of breath, particularly dyspnea on exertion), and metal deficiency is no exception. Decreased oxygen-carrying capability leads to reduced oxygen delivery to metabolically active tissues, which nonetheless should have oxygen; this leads immediately to fatigue.

The compensatory mechanisms from the body lead to extra symptoms and signs of anemia. Some sufferers appear pale not just simply because there is much less hemoglobin per unit of blood vessels (oxygenated hemoglobin is red and gives color to the skin) but additionally because superficial skin blood vessels constrict, diverting blood vessels to more vital structures.

Sufferers might also respond to the anemia with tachycardia. This increased cardiac output is appropriate simply because one way to improve oxygen delivery towards the tissues would be to improve the number of times every hemoglobin molecule is oxygenated within the lungs every hour.

This tachycardia might cause benign cardiac murmurs due to the elevated blood flow. Abnormalities from the GI tract happen because metal can also be required for proliferating tissue. Glossitis, where the normal tongue papillae are absent, can happen, as can gastric atrophy with achlorhydria (absence of stomach acid). The achlorhydria might compound the iron deficiency simply because metal is greatest absorbed in an acidic surroundings, but this complication is very unusual.

In kids, there might be substantial developmental problems, both physical and mental. Iron-deficient children, mostly in building regions, perform poorly on tests of cognition in comparison with iron-replete kids. Metal therapy can reverse these findings if started early sufficient in childhood. The precise mechanism of cognitive loss in iron deficiency isn’t recognized.

Another unexplained but often observed phenomenon in severe metal deficiency is pica, a craving for nonnutritive substances this kind of as clay or dirt. Numerous sufferers have no particular signs or symptoms or findings whatsoever, and their metal deficiency is discovered due to anemia noted on the blood vessels count obtained for another objective.

It is of interest that mild anemias (hemoglobins of 11-12 g/dL) might be tolerated very nicely simply because they develop slowly. Additionally towards the physiologic compensatory mechanisms discussed previously (elevated cardiac output, diversion of blood flow from much less metabolically active places), there is a biochemical adaptation as well.

The capability to transfer oxygen from hemoglobin to cells is partly dependent on a small molecule in erythrocytes called 2,3-biphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG). In higher concentrations, the ability to unload air in the tissues is elevated. Chronic anemia leads to elevated 2,3-BPG concentrations in erythrocytes. Other patients who do not existing with signs or symptoms immediately associated towards the anemia existing instead with symptoms or signs associated immediately to blood vessels reduction.

Simply because the most typical website of unexpected (nonmenstrual) blood reduction may be the GI tract, sufferers often have visible changes in the stool. There may be gross blood vessels (hematochezia), which is more typical with bleeding sites close to the rectum, or black, tarry, metabolized blood (melena) from more proximal sites. Significant blood loss from the urinary tract is really uncommon.

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Certain Key Facts About Anemia

Comments: 0February 3rd, 2009 by admin



One of the most frequent kinds of nutritional deficiencies which are found widely amongst women in particular is the Iron deficiency which is also known as sideropenia or hypoferremia. Iron is a very important nutrient needed for our body and in turn it serves varied purposes and is a major constituent of each cell of our body. It serves the very major function of being the carrier of oxygen between the tissue and the lungs and is present in the form of hemoglobin.

Not only is iron present in the form of hemoglobin but, it is also present as the cytochromes in the cell which acts as the medium of transportation within the cell and iron plays a very crucial role in the enzymatic reactions occurring inside tissues. If the iron content lowers beyond the normal level which is supposed to be present in the cell, then it can result in morbidity and even death of the individual.

One of the frequent conditions arising due to iron deficiency is called anemia which is widely prevalent in pre-menopausal women and children. An average of 3.8 g of iron must be present in healthy men and around 2.3 g should be present in healthy women. There are bacteria which need iron for their proper growth and in case of the dearth of the nutrient it avoids their infectious development and to stop bacterial infections during fever, temporary hypoferremia is created in the body.

Various mechanisms occur inside our body which helps in controlling the iron metabolism happening in our cells and tissues and one of the major regulatory mechanisms is located in the gastrointestinal tract. If the proper compensation of iron does not occur as per its usage in the body, iron deficiency occurs.

Iron deficiency can cause several ailments to the human body such as chronic bleeding, excessive menstrual bleeding, non-menstrual bleeding and bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract such as ulcers or hemorrhoids. In extreme cases which are especially rare, laryngological bleeding which indicates bleeding from the respiratory tract can also occur.

The symptoms of iron deficiency can become visible in the human body even before the condition of anemia sets in. Since iron is used for varied functions, several symptoms of the deficiency can occur either because of anemia or because of the primary occurrence of the lack of iron in the body. The most common symptoms which are widely prevalent in people suffering from this ailment are fatigue, hair loss, pallor, weakness, irritability, pica, brittle nails, etc.

Iron deficiency in the earlier stages can be treated with adequate intake of rich nutritious foods which are rich in iron such as red meat, fish, poultry, lentils, beans, leaf vegetables, tofu, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, fortified bread, and fortified breakfast cereals and also by the intake of iron supplements such as ferrous sulfate, amino acid chelate tablets, etc. Iron deficiency can lead to drastic health consequences if not treated in time and it is better advised that people check the hemoglobin count of their body as often as possible.

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