1. Iron Metabolism

2. Introduction to what iron metabolism is
Iron metabolism means the set of reactions that maintain homeostasis of iron in humans
Iron can potentially be toxic to humans but it is needed in certain chemical reactions of human body
Importance of iron regulation
- Cellular respiration
- Oxygen Transport
- Bacterial protection

3. Iron in oxygen transport
Heamoglobin is an iron-containing oxygen-transport protein that can be found in red blood cells
The protein makes up about 96% of the red blood cells’ dry content
The iron containing heme-group can be found in the middle of the heamoglobin protein
Oxygen is carried from lungs to the rest of the body bound to the heme-group of hemoglobin
In muscle cells, iron binds myoglobin, which regulates its release

4. Cellular respiration
Human cells require iron in order to obtain energy as ATP from cellular respiration. More specifically, Iron is needed in the oxidative phosphorylation which takes place at the mitochondrial cristae
Iron is present in the iron-sulfur clusters and heme groups of the electron transport chain proteins. They generate a proton gradient that allows ATP synthase to synthesize ATP

5. Humans have around 2.5 -4 grams of iron stored in their body
Individuals need to absorb milligrams a day
Iron is the basis for the formation of RBCs
60% iron used to synthesie hemoglobin

6. Iron is stored as ferritin
- Found mainly in the spleen and bone marrow
% of bodies total iron is stored here
9% used as functional iron in brain
60% present in RBCs as heme.

7. If too little iron is taken up, the result is iron deficency
- 23% women of child-bearing age
- 20% of children
- 4 % men
Malnutrition and blood loss are the leading causes

8. Symptoms
- tiredness
- low resistance to stress
- lack of concentration
- exercise intolerance
- Hair loss