IRON

Elainna Simpson
 FUNCTION
Þ Mineral
Þ Necessary for growth and
development
Þ Part of hemoglobin- a protein
that carries oxygen in the blood
Þ Helps muscles store and use
oxygen
Þ Used to make hormones and
connective tissue
Þ Part of other proteins and
enzymes
 FOOD SOURCES AND RDA
Food Sources: Life Stage Recommended Amount
Birth to 6 months 0.27 mg
− Lean meat, seafood, & poultry Infants 7-12 months 11 mg
Children 1-3 years 7 mg
− Iron fortified cereal & bread Children 4-8 years 10 mg
Children 9-13 years 8 mg
− White beans, lentils, spinach, kidney beans, & Teens boys 14-18 years 11 mg
peas Teens girls 14-18 years 15 mg
Adult men 19-50 years 8 mg
− Nuts and some dried fruits Adult women 19-50 years 18 mg
Adults 51 years and older 8 mg
− Tofu
Pregnant teens 27 mg
− Baked Potatoes Pregnant women 27 mg
Breastfeeding teens 10 mg
− Eggs Breastfeeding women 9 mg

− Whole Grain
DEFICIENCY AND EXCESSIVE
SYMPTOMS
DEFICENCY EXCESSIVE
ÞAnemia: too little iron ÞToo much iron
ÞCaused by: poor diet (don’t eat meat), ÞCaused by: taking too many
blood loss, inability to absorb iron in supplements, inherited disease
foods (hemochromatosis)
ÞSymptoms: lack of energy, GI issues, ÞSymptoms:
poor memory, concentration, less of Þ Vomiting, constipation, stomach pains
an ability to fight off germs, or control Þ Fatal
body temperature
 IRON AND THE BRAIN
ÞIron deficiency: impairment in cognition,
language ability, and motor development
ÞChildren with low iron usually score
poorly on math and language tests
ÞIron metabolism may play a role in
myelin
ÞTakeaway: “…iron in your diet as a
teenager is associated with better brain
integrity when you grow up.”
ÞBut too much iron accumulation could
lead to neurodegenerative disorders
REFERENCES
Iron — Consumer. (n.d.). Retrieved April 3, 2019, from
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-Consumer/
Iron — Health Professional Fact Sheet. (n.d.). Retrieved April 3, 2019, from
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/
Iron Builds a Better Brain | The Scientist Magazine®. (n.d.). Retrieved April 3, 2019,
from https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/iron-builds-a-better- brain-
41504
Iron (Element) - Facts, History, Where It Is Found, How It Is Used. (n.d.). Retrieved
April 3, 2019, from https://www.livescience.com/29263-iron.html
Iron [Text]. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2019, from https://medlineplus.gov/iron.html