Iron is required in hemoglobin for transporting oxygen in the blood, for detoxification and for energy production in the cells. Iron is found in lean meats, organ meats, shellfish, molasses, beans, whole-grain cereals, and dark green vegetables.
Sources Of Iron
| Seafood - | clams, oysters | |
| Meats - | liver and kidneys, beef, reindeer meat | |
| Nuts/seeds - | pistachio, pinon nuts, black walnuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds | |
| Vegetables - | Irish moss, chives, parsley, soybeans | |
| Grains - | wheat germ and bran, rice bran | |
| Miscellaneous - | red wine, black strap molasses, sorghum syrup, bone meal, yeast | |
Roles In The Body
| Oxygen Transport - | iron is part of the hemoglobin molecule that carries oxygen in the blood | |
| Cellular Energy Production - | iron is required in the final steps of the production of energy from food | |
| Removal of Harmful Free Radicals - | catalase enzyme requires iron | |
Synergetic Nutrients
| Absorption - | acid foods, animal foods, vitamin C, alcohol, glucose and other sugars |
| Utilization - | copper, vitamin B12 |
Antagonistic Nutrients
| Absorption - | phytates, phosphate, egg protein, manganese, zinc, nickel, chromium, copper, calcium, magnesium, cadmium, vegetarian diets |
Hair Analysis Notes
Iron is referred to as the strength mineral
Reasons For Iron Supplementation
→ to raise low sodium levels
→ to increase a low oxidation rate
→ to lower elevated manganese levels
Hair Iron (Fe) levels do not correlate with Fe assimilation as determined by serum ferritin, Fe binding capacity, or transferrin saturation. A very low hair Fe result should be viewed only as possible indication for further tests because hair is only a screening test for this element. Fe supplementation is not indicated nor recommended solely on the basis of the measured hair Fe level. Unwarranted Fe supplementation, particularly in combination with ascorbic acid, can result in Fe overload. A large body of scientific literature indicates significant relationships between dietary Fe overload and heart disease, cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, and arthritis.
References:
Crawford RD. Proposed role for a combination of citric acid and ascorbic acid in the production of dietary iron overload: a fundamental cause of disease. Biochem Mol Med. 1995 Feb;54(1):1-11. doi: 10.1006/bmme.1995.1001. PMID: 7551810. [L]
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High Hair Iron:
→ often associated with feelings of anger and hostility
→ more often seen in fast oxidation
→ often associated with high aluminum levels
→ can be due to an iron loss due to destruction of body cells
→ iron toxicity can be due to iron cookware or excessive iron in drinking water
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