What is the function of iron in humans?

Answer 1

• The primary function of iron in a human body is to supply the blood flow with oxygen. Iron is a powerful oxygen absorber when suspended in a liquid such as blood.
• Iron is essential to good health. Most iron in the body is contained in haemoglobin and myoglobin, the red pigments that carry oxygen. It also occurs as part of enzymes involved in energy production. A deficiency of iron results in anaemia, a lowering of haemoglobin concentration in the blood. The muscles and tissues are starved of vital oxygen, we feel tired and lethargic, and less inclined to exercise. Other more specific problems may include a sore tongue, cracks at the corner of the mouth, and nails that lack their usual pink flare. Heavy endurance training and bleeding (including menstrual bleeding) can increase the risk of iron deficiency and the need for iron therapy (increased iron intake by dietary adjustment and supplementation). Ten to fifteen percent of women between the ages of 13 and 45 lose more iron in menstrual bleeding than they acquire throughout the month from foods. Therefore, they probably require iron supplements to prevent iron deficiency.

Answer 2

Iron is an essential element for most life on Earth, including human beings.

Iron is needed for a number of highly complex processes that continuously take place on a molecular level and that are indispensable to human life, e.g. the transportation of oxygen around your body!

Function:

The human body needs iron to make the oxygen-carrying proteins hemoglobin and myoglobin. Hemoglobin is found in red blood cells and myoglobin is found in muscles.

Iron also makes up part of many proteins in the body.

Answer 3

1) It's needed to help carry oxygen in the bloodstream.

2) It's needed for the creation of myoglobin, which helps muscles function.

3) It's a needed component of many proteins throughout the body.