The results of a study printed in Archives of Toxicology indicate that most of illnesses that are debilitating in nature may be the result of poorly-bound iron which could be the reason why dangerous toxins are produced.  These dangerous toxins, known as hydroxyl radicals, causes a reaction with tissues and cells inside the body leading to the development of degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease.

The review was authored by Douglas Kell, a Bioanalytical Science professor of the University of Manchester.

Kell said that his work highlighted a crucial area which warrants further investigations in order to fully establish the association between having the wrong form of iron inside the body and the development of degenerative diseases. The role of iron in the prevention and treatment of some forms of degenerative diseases should also be looked into since this would obviously be of great benefit to people of all ages.

Professor Kell said that each disease pathway is, in some way, connected to the others.  He presented evidence which indicates that toxicological insults and the degenerative effects of numerous disease conditions are joined together by the dysregulation of iron. This finding specifically emphasizes the importance of iron metabolism and the need for iron chelating substances to inhibit degenerative disease progression. In order to protect the body from the dangers posed by poorly-bound iron, Kell underlined the vitality of taking in certain nutrients that has the capacity to tightly bind with iron.  These substances are also called iron chelators.

Vegetables and fruits that are brightly coloured, such as blueberries, are known to be rich sources of iron chelators.  Green tea also contains iron-chelating substances.

Why is there a need for Iron Chelators?

Iron chelators have the responsibility to “bind” with iron so that iron can perform its intended function well.  A loosely bound, or free, iron will be deposited in the blood stream and body tissues.  High numbers of free iron will start to accumulate in the tissues and in the blood, and this may prove toxic to the body by stimulating the formation of highly injurious compounds such as hydroxyl radicals.  These hydroxyl radicals attack DNA, proteins and lipids.

Iron chelators function by removing excess iron found inside the body. As soon as the toxic iron is removed, the body can start repairing the damage that may have occurred.

The Function of Iron inside the Body

A properly-functioning circulatory system is essential in order to ensure the proper functioning of the rest of the organs in the body.  The circulatory system delivers blood, which carries the much-needed nutrients and oxygen needed by cells and tissues to survive.  The oxygen is found inside haemoglobin – an important component of red blood cells (RBCs).  Iron is needed in order for the formation of haemoglobin. Without the presence of iron, haemoglobin production is greatly compromised.  When this happens, the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells is compromised as well.  Without oxygen, body cells and body tissues will die.

Aside from haemoglobin formation, iron is also essential in promoting proper brain function and development; in enhancing muscle activity; in catecholamine metabolism; and also in the regulation of body temperature. A lack of iron compromises a person’s immune system by decreasing antibody production and diminishing T-cell numbers.

The Health Benefits of Iron

The different stages of development in a person’s life could greatly benefit from iron consumption.  From infancy to late adulthood, based on Erik Erikson’s Developmental Stages theory, iron plays an important role in the promotion of overall health.

Here are some of the health benefits of iron:

• For infants, iron is extremely important during the first eight months of life.  Iron plays an important role in promoting brain growth and development.  Iron also helps prevent anaemia, which may be directly linked to both cognitive and motor developmental delays.
  
  
• For pregnant women, iron is needed to ensure that the placenta is properly developed.  The placenta provided nutrients and oxygen to the growing fetus inside the mother’s womb. Iron is also important to prevent pre-term babies, and those with low birth weight.  Despite it being one of the most abundant minerals in the world, approximately 58 percent of pregnant women are still deficient of iron.
  
  
• During the periods of adolescence, young adulthood and middle adulthood, where performing exercise is at its peak, or in periods where a person engages in increased physical activity, iron is lost in the process of sweating. This is makes it important to replace iron losses to ensure healthy levels inside the body.
  
  
• For people who are in the stage of late adulthood, iron helps prevent fatigue by producing blood rich in haemoglobin.  Iron is also essential for the production of adenosine triphosphate, an enzyme needed for proper cell functioning and cell energy.

Food Sources that are rich in Iron

There exists a variety of foods that are rich sources of iron.  Some of these foods are beef liver, mussels, chicken liver, oyster, pork liver, clams, turkey, sardines, shrimp and beef are rich sources of iron.  However, I'm not a fan of most of those sources so I don't consume them.  For example, beef, chicken liver and pork liver are all high in cholesterol content.  Although these foods contain vitamins and minerals, I still suggest taking an iron supplement over consuming these foods.

Food sources of iron chelators include fruits such as grapefruits, pears, apples, bananas, dates, watermelons, figs, tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupe and oranges help enhance the absorption of iron inside the body.  Vegetables like pinto bean, red pepper, green pepper, potato, green beans, brussel sprouts, kidney beans and leafy greens such as spinach and broccoli also exert the same effects.

Herbs like dried rosemary, dried chervil, dried terragon, fenugreek seed, anise seed, ground savory, ground turmeric, dried basil, dried basil, bay leaf, dried oregano, cumin seed, black pepper and dried thyme are also rich sources.
Other sources include blackstrap molasses, dried apricots, sunflower seeds, caviar, almonds, roasted squash and pumpkin seeds, and many more.

Recommended Dietary Allowance for Iron

To ensure healthy levels of iron inside the body, the table below by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences lists the recommended dietary allowance for Iron:

Sources
pharmics.com
healthcastle.com
livestrong.com
healthaliciousness.com
ods.od.nih.gov
nutraingredients.com