Iron – Important Element that is necessary for purifying blood
Iron is a mineral found in every cell of the body. Iron is considered an essential mineral because it is needed to make part of blood cells. The hemoglobin content of red blood cells is made up of certain proteins and iron. The normal body of an adult contains about 4 to 5 g of iron.
Iron stores in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. Small amounts of iron are found in the muscles as myoglobin, as also in the blood serum and in every cell as a constituent of certain enzymes. the stores of iron as well as the iron released from the disintegration of red blood cells available to the body for the synthesis of hemoglobin.
The main sites of absorption are the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine. Absorption of iron is enhanced when there is deficiency of iron in the body or there is need for increased blood formation. Iron is excreted along with the bile, stools, scaling of the skin, and sweating. It is important to take an extra quantity of iron-rich foods during summer to compensate the iron loss.
Hemoglobin is composed of four iron-containing heme groups. The heme is responsible for the characteristic color and the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. Myoglobin is an oxygen carrying protein containing iron in the muscle tissue is related to blood hemoglobin in both structure and function.
FUNCTION OF IRON IN HUMAN BODY
- Iron is necessary for production of hemoglobin.
- Iron is necessary for brain development and function.
- Iron enables the blood to carry oxygen throughout the body and helps in removing carbon dioxide from tissues.
- Iron increases resistance to stress and disease.
- Iron aids growth and prevents fatigue.
- Iron forms an important part of many proteins and enzymes that help the human body function efficiently.
CAUSES OF IRON DEFICIENCY IN HUMAN BODY
Iron deficiency is caused by:
- Severe blood loss.
- Malnutrition.
- Infections.
- Excessive use of drugs and chemicals.
Severe blood loss can occur due to:
- major injury to blood vessels.
- rupture of aneurysms.
- perforation of internal organs.
- incomplete abortion.
- severe menstrual bleeding.
- repeated pregnancies.
- prolonged breast feeding.
- excessive sweating also reduce the iron content .
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS OF IRON IN HUMAN BODY
- Nutritional anemia.
- Lower resistance to disease.
- General run down condition.
- Pale complexion.
- Shortness of breath.
- Loss of interest in sex.
- Mental depression and irritability.
- Mind becomes dull.
FOOD SOURCES RICH IN IRON
- Whole grain cereals.
- Pulses and legumes.
- Fish.
- Green leafy vegetables such as dry lotus stems, cauliflower greens, turnip greens.
- Fruits like black currants, water melons, raisins, and dried dates.
- Enzymes and hydrochloric acid in stomach are needed for proper assimilation of iron.
- Seeds like almonds and brazil nuts.
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Categories: Advantages of Fruits and Vegetables, Anemia, benefits, Blood, Body, causes, Deficiency, Iron Tags: Blood, Body, causes, Cells, Deficiency, Element, Food, Functions, growth, Haemoglobin, health, Healthy, Hemoglobin, Important, Iron, Mineral, Necessary, proteins, Pure, Purifying, Sources, Symptoms, Tissues
MAGNESIUM – Known as alcoholic’s balm – Keeps the nerves relaxed
Human tissues contain small quantities of magnesium. The adult body contains about 25 g of this mineral, the greater part of which is present in bones in combination with phosphate and carbonate. Bone ashes contain less than one percent magnesium. Magnesium is a major mineral important to plants and animals.
About one-fifth of the total magnesium in the body is present in the soft tissues inside the cells, where it is mainly bound to protein. The bones seem to provide a reserve supply of this mineral in case of shortage elsewhere in the body.
- Magnesium is a light, silver white, malleable, and ductile metallic element.
- Magnesium burns with a very hot, bright flame and is used to form light-weight alloys.
- Magnesium helps to keep one calm and cool during summer months.
- The absorption of magnesium occurs in small intestine.
- Magnesium may compete with and decrease calcium absorption from the intestine.
- Almost twice the amount of magnesium is stored in bones as compared with soft tissues.
- A greater part of magnesium in diet is not absorbed, it is excreted in urine.
FUNCTIONS OF MAGNESIUM IN HUMAN BODY
- Magnesium helps to keep nerves relaxed.
- Magnesium is necessary for all muscular activity.
- Magnesium is an activator of most of the enzyme systems involved in metabolism of carbohydrate, fat, and protein.
- Magnesium is necessary for activation of alkaline phosphates.
- Magnesium helps in the utilization of vitamin B and E.
- Magnesium maintains fluid and electrolyte balance.
- Magnesium is important for converting blood sugar into energy.
- Magnesium acts as an anti-stress mineral.
- Magnesium is useful in keeping healthier cardiovascular system.
- Magnesium prevents calcium deposits in kidneys and gallstones.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS OF MAGNESIUM IN HUMAN BODY
- Rapid heart rate.
- Chronic alcoholism.
- Hypertension.
- Depression.
- High blood pressure.
- Impaired protein metabolism.
- Premature wrinkles.
- Irritability.
- Kidney damage or kidney stones.
- Muscle cramps.
- Heart attack.
- Sensitivity to sound.
FOOD SOURCES RICH IN MAGNESIUM
- Green leafy vegetables.
- Nuts, soy beans, alfalfa, apples, figs, lemons, peaches, almonds.
- Whole grains, brown rice, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds.
- Jowar, bajra, finger millet.
- Cereals and vegetables.
Chronic alcoholics show a low plasma magnesium concentration and a high urinary output. Hence, they require an extra magnesium intake.
Magnesium prevents recurrence of kidney stones by increasing the solubility of calcium in urine.