Physiological functions of iron

Iron is the most indispensable element in our body. Many people suffer from anemia due to iron deficiency. However, there are very few common foods in our lives that can supplement iron, so it is difficult to supplement iron. In the process of cooking, if we often use iron pans to cook, we can effectively eat some iron. So what are the physiological functions of iron?

Overview of the physiological functions of iron:

(1) Physiological function of iron: Iron is the most abundant trace element in the body. Its main function is to be the main component of hemoglobin. Anemia caused by hemoglobin synthesis disorder due to iron deficiency is called iron deficiency anemia. Iron in hemoglobin plays an important role in oxygen absorption, release and transport. Iron participates in oxidation-reduction reactions and the transport of protons and electrons in the body, and also plays an important function in the respiratory chain.

(2) Iron determination method: Iron is usually determined by chemical colorimetry. The iron content in blood samples is usually expressed by serum iron and serum total iron binding capacity. If an excess amount of iron is added to a blood sample and allowed to bind to transferrin to saturation, and then the excess iron is removed, the iron measured by the serum iron assay is called total iron binding capacity. The percentage of serum iron and total iron binding capacity is called iron saturation.

Iron saturation = serum iron/total iron binding capacity × 100%.

(3) Iron and immune function: Iron is involved in hematopoiesis in the body and forms hemoglobin and myoglobin, and is involved in the carrying and transport of oxygen. Iron is also the active center of many types of enzymes. Both excess and deficiency of iron can increase the body's chances of infection, because the presence of iron is also required for the growth and reproduction of microorganisms.

Experiments have shown that when iron is deficient, the bactericidal ability of neutrophils is reduced and the function of lymphocytes is impaired. Immune function can be improved after iron supplementation.

In the process of neutrophils phagocytizing bacteria, they need to rely on superoxidase to kill the bacteria. This enzyme system cannot play its role when iron is deficient.