Bifalgorithm post · Human Nutrition · Iron
Iron Intake
Iron Intake (Human Nutrition · Iron) — "The body excretes little iron and therefore the potential for accumulation in tissues and organs is considerable. Iron…
Ideas in this flowchart
- Iron: accumulation, toxicity, and dietary intake
- The body excretes little iron, so iron can accumulate considerably in tissues and organs.
- Iron accumulation can cause extreme fatigue, arthritis, joint pain, and severe liver and heart toxicity.
- Ingesting as little as 200 mg can cause death in children; iron supplements must be kept out of their reach.
- The IOM has established tolerable upper intake levels for iron.
- Hemochromatosis is mostly hereditary and results from a genetic mutation causing abnormal iron metabolism and iron accumulation.
- Hemochromatosis has symptoms similar to other forms of iron overload, but they are often more severe.
- Dietary Reference Intakes vary by age and sex.
- Infants: 0–6 months have an Adequate Intake of 0.27 mg per day and an upper limit of 40 mg; 6–12 months have 11 mg and 40 mg.
- Children: ages 1–3 years have an RDA of 7 mg, ages 4–8 have 10 mg, and ages 9–13 have 8 mg; the upper limit is 40 mg.
- Adolescents aged 14–18 have an RDA of 11 mg for males and 15 mg for females, with an upper limit of 45 mg.
- Adults aged 19–50 have an RDA of 8 mg for males and 18 mg for females; adults over 50 have an RDA of 8 mg, with an upper limit of 45 mg.
- Dietary sources provide varying amounts of iron.
- Fortified breakfast cereal provides 18 mg per serving; oysters provide 8 mg per 3 ounces; dark chocolate provides 7 mg per 3 ounces; beef liver provides 5 mg per 3 ounces.
- Lentils, boiled spinach, and firm tofu provide 3 mg per one-half cup.
- Kidney beans provide 2 mg per one-half cup, and sardines provide 2 mg per 3 ounces.