Iron

Overview:

Iron has been used for therapeutic uses for thousands of years. It was used by the Egyptians to cure baldness and by the Greeks it was used in wine to restore male potency. It is the most plentiful element on earth and it is an essential trace mineral for humans. Two-thirds of the iron present in the body�about 3.5 g to 4.5 g�are in the blood and the rest is stored in the liver, spleen, bone marrow and muscles. Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin, myoglobin and a cofactor of several essential enzymes. Of the total iron in the body, 60 to 70 percent is stored in hemoglobin (the red part of red blood cells�a component of myoglobin, an iron-protein complex in muscles. When the muscles work harder this complex helps in getting them extra energy.

How This Mineral Works in Your Body:

Transports oxygen and contributes to the storage of oxygen in the cells

Prevents and treats iron-deficiency anemia due to dietary iron deficiency or other causes

Stimulates bone-marrow production of hemoglobin, the red-blood-cell pigment that carries oxygen to body cells

Forms part of several enzymes and proteins in the body

Essential for protein metabolism

Assist in the production of thyroid hormones, connective tissue and several brain neurotransmitters

Maintains a healthy immune system

May help alleviate menstrual pain

May stimulate immunity in iron-deficient people

May promote learning in children with iron deficiency

Many women, of child-bearing age, with heavy menstrual flow and women with long or short menstrual periods (common in teenage girls)

Anyone with inadequate caloric or dietary intake or increased nutritional requirements

People over the age of 55

Pregnant or breastfeeding women

Those who abuse alcohol or other drugs

People with a chronic wasting illness

Those under excess stress for long periods

Anyone who has recently undergone surgery

Athletes and workers who participate in vigorous physical activities

Anyone who has lost blood recently such as from heavy menstrual periods, an accident or long-term, undetected gastrointestinal bleeding

Vegetarians with inadequate dietary intake Infants from 2 to 24 months

Where This Mineral is Found:

Bread, enriched, Mussels, Egg yolk, Oysters, Fish, Red meats, Garbanzo beans (chickpeas), Seaweed, Greens, Whole-grain, Lentils, Liver,Molasses ( blackstrap), Dried fruits,Poultry,Enriched cereals, Soybean flour, Flour

**People with normal iron levels in their body absorb about 10 percent of the food iron consumed from food; however, an iron-deficient person can absorb about 20 to 30 percent. Biotin Functions Biotin

Biotin is present in the skin, hair, nerves and bone marrow. Its enzymes play a vital role in carbohydrate, fat, amino acid and protein synthesis for energy provision. Biotin enzymes also bind to histones that are an important part of DNA synthesis. This means that biotin probably plays a role in DNA replication and transcription. Biotin deficiency causes skin, nail and hair loss. It may also result in weakness, depression, hallucination, numbness, fatigue, irritation, rashes, loss of appetite, and even depression. Biotin in food

Biotin is found in various food stuffs in generally lower amounts than other water-soluble vitamins. Biotin containing food products include bread, brown rice, bran cereals, egg yolk, yeast, nuts, beans, peas, cauliflower, liver, kidney and fish.