What are the benefits of iron?

Answer 1

Iron is vital for:

• Oxygen distribution: Iron is the core of hemoglobin molecules, which are the oxygen-carrying components of your red blood cells. Red blood cells use iron in the hemoglobin molecule to pick up oxygen from your lungs and distribute the oxygen to tissues throughout your body. If you lack iron, you will produce less hemoglobin, and therefore supply less oxygen to your tissues. Iron is also an important component of another protein called myoglobin. Myoglobin, like hemoglobin, is an oxygen-carrying molecule that distributes oxygen to muscles cells, especially to skeletal muscles and to the heart.
• Energy production: As a component of several enzymes, including iron catalase, iron peroxidase, and the cytochrome enzymes, iron plays a vital role in producing energy. It is also involved in the production of carnitine, a nonessential amino acid that is important for helping you use fat.
• Immune system function: Your body requires sufficient iron for the differentiation and proliferation of T lymphocytes. These white blood cells, often referred to as T cells, play an important role in immune function. Iron also plays a role in the generation of hypochlorous acid, a beneficial reactive oxygen species that white blood cells use to kill pathogens.
• DNA synthesis: Your body requires ribonucleotide reductase, an iron-dependent enzyme, for proper DNA synthesis. Through its assistance in DNA synthesis, iron has an indirect role on many important body functions, including immune function, healing, growth, and reproduction.