Iron is a chemical element and the first metal in the transition series. It is the most common element on Earth as it forms its outer and inner core.
Iron's chemical symbol is Fe, and its atomic number is 26. It plays a major role biologically and pathologically and is practically found in all living organisms.
Our bodies need iron for many purposes. It helps our muscles use and store oxygen, which can help alleviate fatigue. It is also part of enzymes and metabolizes protein.
However, its most important role is in the hemoglobin in our blood, which distributes oxygen throughout the body, especially our lungs. Therefore, an iron deficiency can lead to serious blood-related conditions.
Lack of iron may lead to anemia, in which the body cannot produce sufficient red blood cells to meet the average needs. This deficiency is characterized by tiredness, dizziness, and lack of alertness and energy.
It may also include cramps, chest pain, and shortness of breath. The condition is treatable, but if neglected, it may cause more serious complications, such as heart damage or even cancer.
Iron deficiency is a condition in which the body lacks iron. It occurs when the body does not absorb enough of the iron needed from food.
Other possible reasons for an insufficient supply of iron include internal bleeding, ulcers, heavy menstrual bleeding, and going through a menopause stage for women. Some people also suffer from diseases of the small intestine.
Effects of Iron on a Person's Health
Hemochromatosis occurs when a patient has an iron overload. The body absorbs too much iron from food, causing the patient to have bronze skin. The condition can damage the pancreas, liver, heart, and other organs and cause cancer.
Reduction therapy is best suited for patients with this kind of condition. A doctor may recommend regular blood donation and will prescribe specific drugs.
A diet designed for this condition should involve eating food not rich in iron. A healthy individual usually absorbs only 10% of iron from food. Vitamin C should also be lessened if not avoided since it helps in iron absorption.
Limiting and completely avoiding alcoholic beverages will greatly help. Alcohol is very notorious to our liver, the organ that stores most of our iron supply.
Alzheimer's disease remains a mystery. Research is being conducted to find more information, particularly on how to treat the condition. This disease is still strongly linked to high iron levels in the body.
An excessive amount of iron produces more free radicals that damage brain neurons. As the body continually absorbs and stores high amounts of iron, more brain neurons are damaged over time, leading to irreversible memory loss.
There are also a lot of undesirable effects of consuming iron more than what is needed. These minor effects are usually taken for granted.
Absorbing too much iron may cause you to vomit, feel nauseous, constipated, and feel mild neurological pain, along with an upset stomach. There is a lot in our population with too much iron than those who have less than our body needs.
Functions and Sources of Iron
The amount of iron absorbed from our diet depends on many factors. These factors include the iron in your storage. If you still have enough iron stored, your body will likely absorb less iron from your food intake.
The reverse can be said: if you have low iron storage, your body will likely absorb more from your food.
We absorb two types of iron. Heme iron comes from meat, poultry, seafood, and fish products. Non-Heme iron has fortified cereal, tofu, and spinach as good sources.
Pregnant women and children are rapidly growing and need to absorb more iron than others because their bodies need it more at this stage. Athletes who undergo endurance training and participate in endurance sports also have more iron in the system.
Foods rich in Vitamin C help our body better absorb iron. Many food varieties are abundant sources of vitamin C, which is usually present in almost all fruits and vegetables. Vitamin A helps our body use the iron stored in our liver. Papayas and leafy greens are good sources of both vitamins A and C.
Coffee, tea, food containing tannin-like grains, and legumes like soybeans help us absorb less iron.
Another thing to be careful about is the water you drink daily. Water is a vital need for everyone. However, water can contain high iron contaminants, particularly iron, which cannot benefit a person's health.
So, ensuring a water filtering system with the necessary assurance and safety is best.
Does the Berkey Water Filter Remove Iron?
Berkey Water Filter is the highest quality, efficient, and most affordable water filter available. This specific claim comes from years of research and satisfying users. It can effectively remove chemicals and heavy poison that a water source may have. These include pharmaceutical waste products, lead, and even iron.
Berkey Water Filters does not only do simple cleaning mechanisms. It uses both necessary water methods to achieve safe and drinkable water. It is designed to both filtrate and purify the water. This means the higher the chances that it guarantees you healthy drinking water.
Berkey Water Filters uses microspores and carbon filters, which have proven very effective in removing iron from the water source. This process also makes the water smell and taste clean so that people enjoy it freely.
Some potential water sources contain more iron than others. Berkey can remove these iron sediments and make the water safe for consumption regardless of the amount. Our body needs iron, but excessive amounts pose more health hazards than vice versa.
So, it's better to be safe than to feel sorry and regret everything afterward. Berkey Filters will surely give you the best service a water filtering system can offer.
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