Why Are Iron Important For Our Body.
The benefits of iron for health are associated with normal growth and maintenance of optimal / strong body health. Iron is an essential element for metabolism, and the human body desperately needs it to produce red blood cells. The human body can store 25% iron as a reserve in the future will be used when the intake of foods containing iron is not sufficient to reduce the impact of anemia if the intake is suddenly reduced. Thus the importance of iron for the body, so the body feels the need to save it as a backup.
About 70% of the iron in our bodies is found in hemoglobin and myoglobin. Hemoglobin is a body compound in charge of transporting oxygen taken from the lungs and circulated to all body tissues that need it. Then myoglobin is a substance that resides in the muscle cells that regulate the reception, storage, delivery, and release of oxygen. Approximately 5% of the amount of iron is found as an element of various proteins required for certain enzyme reactions.
And the rest that 25% of iron in the body is stored in ferritin contained in the cell. Ferritin can store iron for 3 years for men. But only about a year in women, that's why more anemia often occurs in women than men. The extraordinary role of iron in the body can not be underestimated because iron deficiency can create unpleasant symptoms and can even harm health.
Symptoms of Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency often causes weakness in the body that makes people feel tired all the time and various other health problems, As a result of iron deficiency will make a person's body can not perform normal functions in a proper / optimal way. Women and children are groups that most require iron more than adult men, so it is very susceptible to anemia. Severe iron deficiency can lead to widespread skin disease, leading to brittle nails and smoothness in the area of the tongue. Due to iron deficiency, enzymatic processes that require the presence of iron and protein will not occur, so that the body's metabolism can slow or even die.
Anemia is a condition that is considered a global and most common nutritional deficiency.
Eating Important Sources Of Iron
Iron can be found in two types of foods, namely vegetable and animal foods, each of which is classified as non-heme and heme iron. [Source]
Peas, soybeans, whole grains, cereals, spinach, sprouts, dark green vegetables, especially broccoli and spinach, and dried fruit are plant foods that have a high iron content.
Iron is also available in the form of supplements or capsules that are often given by doctors to anemic patients.
Vitamin C is a type of nutrient that helps in the absorption of iron by the body. So eating citrus fruits and foods containing iron can help in its absorption.
The Benefits Of Iron For Health
When iron is consumed in a balanced amount through food it will provide a number of perfect benefits like the following explanation:
Helps Hemoglobin Formation
The main function of iron is the formation of hemoglobin and helps transmit oxygen to cells throughout the body. Hemoglobin is a very important substance because humans tend to lose blood by various causes including wounds. Women of her age will lose enough blood every month through menstruation - one of the main reasons why women are more likely to suffer from anemia than men.
Carrying Oxygen
The next most important benefit of iron is its role as an oxygen carrier, so it participates in transferring oxygen from one cell to another. This is very important because oxygen is required by every organ in performing its function in a sustainable manner.
Increase Muscle Function
Iron is an essential ingredient for muscle health. It is present in muscle tissue and helps provide the oxygen that muscles need to contract. Without iron the muscle loses its elasticity. Muscle weakness is one of the most obvious signs of anemia.