DEAR DR. BLONZ: I received information from my doctor's office that read: "Don't take a multivitamin and mineral supplement containing iron. Men can't eliminate iron except through blood loss. High levels of iron in the body may promote cardiovascular disease/cancer." This information goes against the recommendation to take 8 mg of iron daily in my multivitamin. Please explain. -- R.A.
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DEAR R.A.: Some context may help here. The human body has a daily requirement for iron, which it needs to make hemoglobin -- the oxygen-carrying compound in blood -- and myoglobin, a related compound that handles oxygen in the muscles. Both compounds are essential to producing energy for our cells. If the body has insufficient iron, the decreased hemoglobin and myoglobin levels can't produce needed energy.
The claim that men cannot eliminate iron is a bit confusing. The non-menstruating adult human body eliminates about 1 milligram of iron per day. Menstruating women lose significantly more. The daily iron requirement for premenopausal women (ages 18 to 50) is 18 mg. For adult men and postmenopausal women, the requirement is 8 mg a day. The dietary requirement is higher than the 1 milligram lost daily because we absorb only about 5% to 10% of the iron in our diet. Meat and poultry contain heme iron, which is the most efficiently absorbed form. (Read more on iron at b.link/z5msxnp.)
If you are an otherwise healthy individual with a healthful diet and lifestyle, you needn't fear taking a supplement that provides up to the recommended daily amount of iron, especially if the supplement is your primary source. There is no advantage, however -- and possible negative reaction -- in consuming excess iron. Discussing your multivitamin with a health professional familiar with your health issues is your best course of action.
Iron's darker side comes from epidemiological studies that found elevated iron stores associated with cardiovascular abnormalities and cancer. Consider how an iron nail will rust if left exposed to the elements, which is the result of iron's reaction with oxygen. Our bodies don't get rusty, per se, but it is thought that iron in our body grabs on to oxygen and then forces it on nearby substances, such as fats or cholesterol. (Oxidized fats and cholesterol are considered the primary villains of disease.) Antioxidants, including vitamins C, E and A, can help prevent errant oxidation and risk of disease.
Another element of iron's "Jekyll and Hyde" personality relates to individuals born with a genetic iron storage disease called hemochromatosis. Also referred to as "iron overload disorder," hemochromatosis is the inability to rid excess iron, which continues to build up, wreaking havoc on systems throughout the body.
Many people are unaware that they have this condition until symptoms emerge. Treatment often involves periodic removals of some of the patient's blood. Hemochromatosis is diagnosed via blood tests and genetic testing. (For more on hemochromatosis, see b.link/v9ndrk2.)
Send questions to: "On Nutrition," Ed Blonz, c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO, 64106. Send email inquiries to questions@blonz.com. Due to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.