Iron: A double edged sword
Iron is essential for cell survival and function; yet excess iron is toxic to cells. It plays a major role in hemoglobin function (moving oxygen around the body), cellular energy generation, and destroying invading microorganisms. It also aids in biological function of enzymes.
When our iron levels are too low we feel weak and tired. Low iron levels can cause heart failure, increase cancer risk, and increase formation of free radicals that speed up the aging process.
When iron levels are too high it increases the risk of neurodegenerative disease including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and ALS. High iron levels can also cause heart failure, hardening of the arteries, trigger diabetes and increase cancer risk.
Iron truly is a double edged sword.
Iron absorption is exquisitely regulated by our bodies. Russell Blaylock, MD who is a nationally recognized neurosurgeon, author and lecturer, suggested in his April, 2011 Blaylock Wellness Report that we only absorb about 1-2 mg per day to balance normal iron loss out of the 15-20 mg found in the average daily diet.
Iron is absorbed based on a number of factors:
• How much iron is already stored in the body
• How fast red blood cells are needed
• The body’s oxygen level
It has been suggested by a number of researchers that normal iron levels may be set too high, based on today’s published science. The ’ excess from ‘normal’ iron intake could be contributing to diseases associated with iron overload including cancer, heart failure, atherosclerosis, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, neurodegenerative disease and eye disease.
The typical Western diet still includes a lot of red meat and way too few vegetables. Red meat is the number one source of absorbable iron, and vegetables are the main protection against iron overload because they inhibit excess iron absorption. So, if you still eat red meat, make sure you eat it with vegetables.
Iron and Brain Disease
A number of neuroscientists now agree that chronic, low-level brain inflammation is linked to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis. They also agree that excess free iron may be causing brain inflammation, particularly in people who carry genes for hemochromatosis, the disease of massive iron accumulation.
Iron that circulates in the blood stream immediately attaches to a carrier protein called transferrin because free iron is extremely toxic and forms free radicals that damage everything they come in contact with. When the transferrin with its load of iron gets to where it is going in the body, it attaches to a receptor on the cell membrane and transfers its iron load inside the cell. Once inside the cell, the iron attaches to another protective protein called ferritin, which shields the inside of the cell from the dangerous free radicals produced by free iron.
The exquisite biochemistry of the human body will always amaze me.
New science suggests that two escort hormones are key to regulating iron. The first is called hepcidin, which is made in liver cells (hepatocytes) and plays a key role in iron absorption. This hormone is affected by many different conditions:
• Iron levels
• Inflammation
• Hypoxia (low oxygen levels)
• Anemia (low red blood cell count)
The second hormone-like substance is called ferroportin. It regulates the removal of excess iron from cells (the opposite of hepcidin).
Iron & Eye Disease
It was widely believed in the past that the retina was protected from changes in systemic iron status by the blood-retina barriers. However, increasing evidence in recent years suggests that this may not be the case.
A peer-reviewed article published in IUBMBLife suggests that the role of oxidative stress in the etiology of AMD is apparent, but that the underlying factors that lead to oxidative stress are still far from clear. Irrespective of the etiology, they found that patients with AMD show evidence of excessive iron accumulation in the retina. They also suggest that the iron overload associated with hemochromatosis may have a role in AMD etiology and/or progression in humans.
Bacterial and viral infection and inflammation clearly lead to changes in the expression of iron-regulatory proteins in the retina and are proving to disrupt retinal iron homeostasis.
With thanks to Ellen Troyer, MT MA
Biosyntrx CEO / Chief Research Officer