Iron is absolutely essential for human life, but it is a double edged sword. It cuts both ways…too much is bad and too little is bad. It is primarily needed  in red blood cell function.  It must be re-supplied for menstruating females, growing children and blood loss… through donations or otherwise.

Iron is a very active element that is essential to the hemoglobin molecule of red blood cells… the transporters of oxygen to every living cell in your body. The downside is that since iron is so active, giving off free electrons, it can cause oxidative damage.  Oxidative damage is destructive to the mitochondria and cellular reproduction.  Damaged mitochondria and the DNA is a recipe for cancer cell development as well as for other degenerative diseases.

Good evidence from recent research shows that excess iron may be the culprit for increased cardiovascular diseases…stroke, heart attack as well as diabetes, cancer and neuro-degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Iron tends to accumulate in the body over the years, increasing the destructive potential by oxidative damage to the mitochondria and the cell nucleus…which has the DNA genetic code of the cell.

Understanding the dynamics of iron in the body is very important; bound iron is not harmful. LDL cholesterol is also only harmful in cardiovascular disease when it becomes oxidized.  Too much unbound iron is associated with oxidation of LDL and artery wall inflammation. This accelerates arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. LDL cholesterol is smaller in particle size than HDL cholesterol and the LDL oxidizes more easily. (Hence the bad reputation of blood cholesterol in causing cardiovascular disease.)

The inflammatory process of oxidation in blood vessels attracts macrophages (white blood cells that eat foreign substances) but as they engorge on oxidized lipids they become foam cells. These engorged foam cells eventually rupture in the linings of arteries and propel the inflammation even more, adding to atherosclerotic plaque.

Macrophages (foam cells) contain large amounts of iron. The uptake of iron and transport of it is highly dependent upon hormones.  Hepcidin escorts iron into the macrophages.  Hormone ferroportin removes the iron from the macrophage and carries the iron atom into the blood.  The activity of hepcidin very much accelerates in the presence of inflammation.  This hepcidin activity results in more accumulation of iron in the macrophage. It is a vicious circle that fuels more inflammation and more atherosclerosis that causes cardiovascular disease.

There are other harmful effects of iron. Cancer journals report that the cancer risk greatly increases with increased iron levels. It is well established that cancer cells flourish with extra iron.  Estimates are that 1000 times more iron is contained in leukemia cells than in normal cells. Neurosurgeon Russell Blaylock also believes iron, as well as other heavy metals, are huge factors in causing brain diseases.  Oxidative damage is not only a factor in many diseases but it also affects longevity. Too much shortens your life.

Dr. Zacharski published a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association which involved 1,277 men and post-menopausal women.  A decrease in iron greatly decreased the mortality of both men and women. Here are the numbers with a decrease of 11 mg from 22 mg of iron.  There were 54% fewer deaths from all causes.  There were 57% fewer deaths after non-fatal heart attacks occurred.

The longevity of females versus males is significant. Statistics show that women live approximately 5 years longer than men.  The prevailing explanation had previously attributed a woman’s longevity to estrogen levels.  The current thinking leans to the iron factor.

Menstruation constantly causes a loss of iron each month for women. What is interesting is that after menopause the rate of cardiovascular disease increases and approaches the rate of that in men. With age iron accumulates in your body.

Supplement producers have for years distinguished the difference for menstruating women versus that of men.  The former need more iron than men.

Recent research is proving that resveratrol is one of the strongest antioxidants ever discovered for protection from iron induced free radical damage. (Reported in Alternatives…July 2007)…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

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