Iron

• Blood


  • Formation of haemoglobin
  • Transport oxygen from lungs to body cells
  • Needed to break down nutrients & obtain energy
  • Formation of myoglobin
  • Protein carries oxygen to muscles
• Enzyme


  • Present in small amounts in body cells
  • Involved in enzyme systems
• Immunity


  • Important role in immune system
  • Decreased iron intake
  • Decreased resistance to infection
• Brain


  • Neurological development in embryo
• Metabolism


  • Vital for metabolic reactions
• Vitamin C


  • Improves absorption of iron
  • Prevents iron deficiency anaemia
• Haem sources


  • Seafood
  • Red meat
  • Poultry
  • Liver
• Non-haem sources


  • Tofu
  • Lentils
  • Fortified breakfast cereal
  • Spinach
• Iron deficiency anaemia symptoms

  • Tiredness & lack of energy
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pale skin
  • Development delays
  • Headaches
  • Pregnancy complications in children
• Hemochromatosis symptoms


  • Tired/weak
  • Pain in joints
  • Pain in abdomen over liver
  • Darkening of skin colour
• Overtime, hemochromatosis can cause fatal damage to liver or brain
• Iron toxicity symptoms


  • Nausea
  • Diarrhoea
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach pain