Health Benefits of Iron
September 15, 2009
Iron is a vital mineral necessary for maintaining the health of human beings. Iron is an important constituent of hemoglobin and haemoglobin carries oxygen to different parts of the body.
Iron plays an important role in metabolism and it also serves as a co factor for the synthesis of several neurotransmitters like serotonin, nor epinephrine, dopamine etc. Iron is also found to be help enzymes for conducting their normal functioning. Iron is also present in muscle proteins called myoglobin and there it holds oxygen and supplement the muscle cells.
Kids and females requires more iron when compared to males as iron is necessary at the time of growth and development and women need more iron to replace the iron that is lost during menstruation and pregnancy. Iron is mostly found in all food items but in many food items it is available in non absorbable form.
Food Sources of Iron
Iron is usually found in two forms heme and non-heme. Among these heme iron is available from poultry, fish and meat while the non-heme iron is obtained from lentils, beans, flours, grain products, cereals etc. This non-heme form of iron is not easily available as compared to heme iron.
Iron is also obtained from peas, dried fruits, leafy vegetables, asparagus, broccoli, spinach, sprouts, turnip, strawberries, nuts etc. As Vitamin C improves the absorption of non heme iron, it will be good if you include foods that are rich in Vitamin C in your diet.
Health Benefits of Iron
On Brain Health
Iron plays a major role in improving the brain health. Iron is essential for the synthesis of several neurotransmitters and these neurotransmitters aids in transmitting messages to and from the brain and thus makes body function proper. Iron also supplies oxygen to the brain and aids in the development and well being of the brain. Iron also builds up the concentration level of a person.
On Blood Formation
Iron is essential for the formation of blood as iron is an important component for the synthesis of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin imparts red color to the blood and carries oxygen to different parts of the body.
On Insomnia
Iron has the powers to treat insomnia and it can help you by inducing sleep.
On Immunity
Iron is found to improve the immune system of the body and thus it provides strength to fight against the attack of diseases.
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