Direct Primary Care

Too Much or Too Little of This Mineral Can Have Health Consequences

Written by William Kirkpatrick | Jun 23, 2017

Without question, more human health problems worldwide are caused by iron deficiency than by lack of any other nutrient. Less well known is the fact that iron overload is responsible for a large number of illness worldwide.  

Why Do We Need Iron? 

Iron is an essential mineral that is required for our bodies to function properly. The primary reason we need iron is that it is an important component of hemoglobin, which helps transport oxygen throughout the body. 

Hemoglobin represents about two-thirds of the body’s iron. If you don't have enough iron, your body can't make enough healthy oxygen-carrying red blood cells, which is called iron deficiency anemia. If you're not getting sufficient oxygen in the body, you're going to become fatigued. That exhaustion can affect everything from your brain function to your immune system's ability to fight off infections.

If you're pregnant, severe iron deficiency may increase your baby's risk of being born too early, or smaller than normal. 

Iron is also necessary to maintain healthy skin, hair, and nails.

Health Problems Associated With High and Low Iron 

Having just the right amount of iron is important. Here is a list of diseases associated with low iron levels and iron overload. 

Diseases Associated with Low Iron Levels Diseases Associated with Iron Overload
Anemia Anemia of chronic disease
Fatigue Insulin resistance, type II diabetes
Fibromyalgia Premature aging
Inflammatory bowel disease Atherosclerosis
Hypothyroidism Anorexia
Depression / Anxiety Grave's disease
ADHD Heart arrhythmia 
Parkinson's disease Cancer
Celiac disease Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease 
Restless leg syndrome Liver damage and liver disease
Hair loss Still's disease
Muscle weakness Hemochromatosis
Memory loss / mental changes Hemophagocytic syndrome 

 

Which foods provide iron?

Probably the best known nutrition fact about iron is that meats—particularly red meats—are rich in iron. Other foods high in iron include beans, pumpkin seeds, squash seeds, raisins and dried fruit, eggs, seafood such as sardines, clams, shrimp and oysters. A number of plant foods are also rich in iron such as leafy green vegetables - spinach, legumes, cumin, and parsley. 

If you think you are iron deficient or are experiencing iron overload than consult your doctor as soon as possible.