Review on iron and its importance for human health

• Published in: Journal of research in medical sciences Vol. 19; no. 2; pp. 164 - 174
• Main Authors: Abbaspour, Nazanin, Hurrell, Richard, Kelishadi, Roya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications Pvt Ltd 01-02-2014; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Anemia; human iron requirement; iron bioavailability; iron deficiency; iron metabolism; Review; iron metabolism; human iron requirement; iron bioavailability; iron deficiency; Anemia
• ISSN: 1735-1995; 1735-1995; 1735-7136

It is well-known that deficiency or over exposure to various elements has noticeable effects on human health. The effect of an element is determined by several characteristics, including absorption, metabolism, and degree of interaction with physiological processes. Iron is an essential element for almost all living organisms as it participates in a wide variety of metabolic processes, including oxygen transport, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis, and electron transport. However, as iron can form free radicals, its concentration in body tissues must be tightly regulated because in excessive amounts, it can lead to tissue damage. Disorders of iron metabolism are among the most common diseases of humans and encompass a broad spectrum of diseases with diverse clinical manifestations, ranging from anemia to iron overload, and possibly to neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we discuss the latest progress in studies of iron metabolism and bioavailability, and our current understanding of human iron requirement and consequences and causes of iron deficiency. Finally, we discuss strategies for prevention of iron deficiency.