Trace Mineral- Iron Flashcards

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1
Q

Where is Iron found?

A

-Average human contains 4g
-2/3 occurs as haemoglobin (red blood cells)

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2
Q

What are the functions of Iron

A

-Vital for HAEMOGLOBIN PRODUCTION
-Needed to produce MYOGLOBIN- helps CATCH OXYGEN for use by muscles
-Important in metabolic processes, eg research shows Iron is needed for SYNTHESIS OF DNA (basic building block of all body cells)

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3
Q

What is Haemoglobin

A

-red pigment that gives blood cells their colour
-Transports OXYGEN from LUNGS to body’s TISSUES for ENERGY PRODUCTION

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4
Q

Where is Iron found, apart from Haemoglobin

A

-Iron is found in Myoglobin- a protein which acts as an OXYGEN CARRIER (needed for energy- prevents a build up of lactic acid) in muscles, also found in small amounts of body BODY CELLS- involved in ENZYME ACTIVITY

-Remaining Iron stored in body as FERRITIN (important storage form) and HAEMOSIDERIN, in liver spleen and bone marrow

-Stored Iron- important during the first six months of a baby’s life- only a small amount present in milk

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5
Q

How is Iron lost from the body

A

-Urine
-Sweat
-Shed in epithelial cells from skin and gut
-Blood- menstruation, accident

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6
Q

What are dietary sources of Iron

A

-Cereal products and bread- approx 34%
-Veg- approx 17%
-Meat- approx 17%
-Eggs- approx 2.8%
-White bread- fortified
-Dried fruit, pulses and wholegrain cereals (phytic acid present)

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7
Q

What are the two forms of Iron

A

Organic Iron
-ferrous Iron- HAEM IRON
-derived from foods containing haemoglobin
-absorbed relatively easily be body
eg red meat and offal (liver)
around 20-25% absorbed

Inorganic O=Iron
-Ferric Iron
-NON HAEM IRON
-derived from plant foods and egg yolk
-Insoluble form
-very poorly absorbed
as little as 2-5% absorbed
eg dark green leafy veg, chocolate, fortified breakfast cereals, bread

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8
Q

What factors promote absorption

A

ASCORBIC ACID aids iron absorption by:
-aiding reduction of FERRIC ACID TO FERROUS ACID- vitamin C is a reducing agent
-absorbed more readily in the haem/ ferrous form

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9
Q

Factors Inhibiting Absorption

A

-LOW STOMACH ACIDITY- gastric hydrochloric acid converts ferric acid (non haem) to ferrous (haem)
-if low gastric hydrochloric acid, the ferric iron won’t be as readily converted to ferrous- which is MORE EASILY ABSORBED into BLOODSTREAM
-PHYTIC ACID- found in wholegrains and phosphate found in egg yolk- these form an insoluble complex with iron, eg iron phytate
-OXALIC ACID- spinach and rhubarb- forms as insoluble complex with iron- iron oxalate
-TANNINS- (tannic acid)- found in tea- forms an insoluble complex- iron tannate

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10
Q

When can the body increase its absorption rates

A

-Only 10% of iron is absorbed
body can increase stores when:
-stores are depleted
-needs are high, eg during pregnancy

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11
Q

Deficiency of Iron

A

IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA- most common nutritional disorder in the world

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12
Q

Cause of Iron Deficiency Anaemia

A

-If the amount of iron is insufficient, the deficiency is made up of the body’s iron stores
-If there is prolonged shortage and body’s iron stores are depleted, the haemoglobin levels of the blood fall- resulting in IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMA

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13
Q

What are symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anaema

A

No oxygen/ reduced oxygen supply in blood
-Fatigue
-Weakness
-Pale Complexion

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14
Q

What groups may be vulnerable

A

-Babies- diet consists of milk- milk is low in iron- babies born with a store from mother- approx 6 months- provided the mother’s diet was adequate during pregnancy
-Pregnant Women- the foetus will be provided with iron first- mother’s needs must be met- PREVENT ANAEMIA during pregnancy
Girls and Women- greater need- due to monthly loss of blood during menstruation
Post injury/ operation- may result in considerable blood loss- iron needs to increase
-Vegetarian- diet consists of inorganic/ non-haem- not easily utilised in body- therefore greater likelihood of deficiency
-Elderly- blood cells are destroyed quickly- must be recreated- may have a poorly diet balanced diet- due to lack of motivation, increased lineliness and inadequate finance

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15
Q

What is an excess of Iron

A

-SIDEROSIS- rare
-HAEMOCHROMATOSIS- iron absorption poorly controlled by body

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