Review on iron and its importance for human health.

Article Details

Citation

Abbaspour N, Hurrell R, Kelishadi R

Review on iron and its importance for human health.

J Res Med Sci. 2014 Feb;19(2):164-74.

PubMed ID
24778671 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

It is well-known that deficiency or over exposure to various elements has noticeable effects on human health. The effect of an element is determined by several characteristics, including absorption, metabolism, and degree of interaction with physiological processes. Iron is an essential element for almost all living organisms as it participates in a wide variety of metabolic processes, including oxygen transport, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis, and electron transport. However, as iron can form free radicals, its concentration in body tissues must be tightly regulated because in excessive amounts, it can lead to tissue damage. Disorders of iron metabolism are among the most common diseases of humans and encompass a broad spectrum of diseases with diverse clinical manifestations, ranging from anemia to iron overload, and possibly to neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we discuss the latest progress in studies of iron metabolism and bioavailability, and our current understanding of human iron requirement and consequences and causes of iron deficiency. Finally, we discuss strategies for prevention of iron deficiency.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drugs
Drug Enzymes
DrugEnzymeKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
Ferrous sulfate anhydrousSerotransferrinProteinHumans
Unknown
Substrate
Details
Drug Carriers
DrugCarrierKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
Ferric cationSerotransferrinProteinHumans
Unknown
Binder
Details
Tetraferric tricitrate decahydrateSerotransferrinProteinHumans
Unknown
Binder
Details
Drug Transporters
DrugTransporterKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
Ferrous sulfate anhydrousSolute carrier family 40 member 1ProteinHumans
Unknown
Substrate
Details