Iron

• • Most common nutrient deficiency disease
  • Participate in wide variety of metabolic processes (e.g. Oxygen transport)
• Require additional iron for:

  1. Increase RBC mass
  2. Used by the fetus and placenta
  3. Lost at delivery
• • Less increase in RBC mass (30%) < Plasma volume (50%)
  • Hemodilution effect: [Hemoglobin] & [Ferritin] decrease
• Spectrum of Iron Deficiency:

  • Learning disability: Lower scores on language, gross motor, intelligence tests

  • Impair cognitive performance (5-10 points deficit in IQ)

  • 40% pregnant women (56 million) & 42% children < 5 y/o (293 million) are anemic
• Recommended Intake:

  • Pregnancy: 27 mg/ day

  • Women w/ deficiency: 60 - 180 mg/ day

  • High dose: Poor Zn absorption; Constipation; Nausea; Cramps; Gas
• Absorption of iron:

  • Inhibited by Tannins, Oxalate, Calcium

  • Facilitated by Heme source, Vitamin C [Steak + Orange juice]
• Plant based: Non-heme iron (Decrease bioavailability)