Medically Inspected by: Caridad Pacheco-Purugganan,MD
Iron is a mineral that is essential to the body’s many processes, from assisting the skin’s wound healing property to making sure that you’re mentally alert for the important parts of the day. But does the mineral impact how the body responds to invading foreign bodies? Read on to learn more on iron’s role in immunity,as well as how it affects infections.
Iron: What it Is and How it Assists Your Overall Health
The mineral iron is a key component in the production of hemoglobin. These are substances in red blood cells that are responsible for transporting and supplying oxygen to vital organs and different parts of the body. Because of this participation in the distribution of oxygen, iron becomes an essential nutrient for keeping the body and its processes working smoothly.
Among others, it helps with mental and physical performance, fighting fatigue, and keeping skin and hair health in top condition.
Iron and the How the Body Responds to Infections
Along with other chemical processes in the body, Iron is an essential micronutrient for optimal immune response. In fact, it is involved in many aspects of how the body’s immune system behaves. Scientific evidence published in the past years have shown that the mineral is necessary for immune cell proliferation or the rapid increase of immune cells during immune response. Generally, iron is needed in the creation and activation of immune cells.
Part of the immune response is to sequester or hide iron away, making it unavailable to the invading organism. Iron-binding proteins such as Lactoferrin make this possible. Iron-containing enzymes are then released from cells of the immune system and show destructive activity against foreign bodies.
Should You Get More Iron?
Poor iron intake can lead to iron deficiency anemia. This condition can be limiting with symptoms like general fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath and dizziness.If untreated, iron deficiency anemia may also develop into complications of rapid or irregular heartbeat and delayed growth in infants and children. Make sure that you get the ideal amount of iron daily, especially if you’re one of the following who are prone to have challenges with maintaining ideal iron levels:
- Teen girls and women with regular heavy periods
- Pregnant or expecting mom
- Frequent blood donors
- Athlete or someone with an active lifestyle
The good news is that iron is naturally found in a variety of foods. Revisit your meal plans and consider adding these in:
- Lean meat, seafood and poultry
- Iron-fortified cereals and breads
- Beans, lentils, spinach, kidney beans and peas
- Nuts and dried fruits
Adding iron supplements such as Iron+Vitamin B-Complex+Folic Acid (HemarateFA) to your diet can be helpful too. Classified as an over-the-counter supplement, Iron + B-Complex + Folic Acid (Hemarate FA) combines the necessary nutrients to promote active, healthy blood.
Supplements like Iron + B-Complex + Folic Acid (Hemarate FA) together with proper diet and exercise supports the body’s immune system by preventing iron-deficiency anemia.
Read more articles and features on iron and iron deficiencyanemia.
ASC Ref No. U129P031521HS
Sources:
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-1-4615-2900-2_14
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0098299720300224
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5134870/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3676888/
