Iron is an essential element for the body: its deficiency causes problems such as anemia, but an excess of this mineral is also detrimental to health. Thus, specialists strongly advise against taking iron supplements without a medical prescription. "Iron is the most important heavy metal in humans," says hematologist Valentín Cabañas, who explains that the total concentration of iron in a normal adult is between 3,5 and 5 grams and is higher in men than in women. women.
The vast majority of iron is found inside cells. Dr. Cabañas explains that between 65% and 70% of the body's total iron is part of the heme group of hemoglobin, a protein inside red blood cells that is essential for capturing and transporting oxygen to all tissues of the human body.
Furthermore, between 4% and 6% of iron is stored in myoglobin, a protein involved in oxygen storage. Meanwhile, a smaller proportion is found in tissue enzymes,” he notes. “The remaining 25% of iron is stored as ferritin and hemosiderin, constituting our reserve deposit,” the hematologist points out.
We get iron through food. This can be in two forms: heme and non-heme. Heme iron is present in red meat, organ meats, white meat and fish. For its part, non-heme iron is found in foods of plant origin, in eggs and in milk. "The main difference between both types of iron that we incorporate through the diet is its bioavailability (the proportion of a nutrient that our body absorbs from food), which is greater in heme iron," explains Dr. Cabañas.
The specialist affirms that, for this reason, a diet rich in red meats such as veal or beef is recommended when there is an iron deficiency. Under normal conditions, there is a balanced balance between iron losses and absorption. The recommended daily amount of iron is between 10 and 15 mg per day, since the body only absorbs 10% of the iron that we ingest through food.
BETTER ABSORPTION
Foods containing vitamin C improve the absorption of non-heme iron when consumed in the same meal. Conversely, substances such as polyphenols, phytates, and calcium, found in foods and beverages like tea, coffee, whole grains, and milk, can decrease the amount of heme iron the body absorbs.
FEARFUL FERROPENIA
Factors such as taking antacids in doses higher than recommended or medications used to treat peptic ulcers or gastroesophageal reflux can reduce the amount of acid in the stomach and the iron absorbed, thus causing a deficiency of this substance. "A deficiency in iron, called ferrodeficiency, is one of the many causes that can lead to anemia," explains Dr. Cabañas.
The hematologist emphasizes that anemia consists of "a decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin located inside the red blood cells below physiological limits." In this sense, the doctor explains that when a person has anemia, whatever its origin, the adequate transport of oxygen to all the body's tissues is compromised to a greater or lesser extent and a series of known signs and symptoms appear. as anemia syndrome.
Oxygen deficiency in the musculoskeletal system causes fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, cramps, and other symptoms. In the central nervous system, symptoms of oxygen deficiency "include headaches, dizziness, drowsiness or insomnia, lack of concentration, irritability, tinnitus, and vision problems, among others," the specialist adds.
«In the digestive system, the lack of oxygen causes nausea, indigestion and constipation. In the genital system, it causes amenorrhea and decreased libido, and in the cardiovascular system, it causes a feeling of lack of air, palpitations, loss of consciousness. In cases of severe anemia, it can even cause angina,» says the specialist.
SEEK TREATMENT
Suspecting iron deficiency, a medical professional must be the one who, once the relevant tests have been carried out, diagnose the deficiency and determine its cause. “The main objective is the treatment of the cause that led to the iron deficiency state. For example, if the reason is a diet low in iron-rich foods, we will recommend increasing your intake of these. If, on the other hand, in the diagnostic study we identify a gastric ulcer, the primary objective should be to heal the ulcer and prevent bleeding losses”, he indicates.
At the same time, and once iron deficiency has been documented, iron replacement therapy with oral supplements (ferrous sulphate or liposomal iron) should be started to ensure the replenishment of deposits and the normalisation of haemoglobin levels in the event of associated anaemia. However, the haematologist consulted stresses that in no case should iron supplements be started without a medical prescription, "as this could cause a delay in the diagnosis of diseases whose first sign is iron deficiency anaemia."
NOTE: Both excess and lack of iron are dangerous.
