Iron

Iron is a trace mineral in the body that combines with protein and copper to produce hemoglobin. It strengthens the immune system, increases the attention span of your mind, and is important for wound healing. Vitamin C plays a key role in the absorption of iron.

 Iron is essential for health. It is present in every living cell of the human body. The body needs iron for energy metabolism, red blood cell development, and healthy teeth, skin, nails and bones. Iron is especially important for the health of pregnant women and those of childbearing age.

 The body only absorbs about 10% of the iron in food. Boiling, steaming or stir-frying appears to enhance the bioavailability of iron contained in many vegetables, including asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, red and green peppers, and tomatoes, but cold storage of cooked vegetables might greatly reduce the availability.

 Iron is found in hemoglobin in red blood cells and myoglobin in muscle cells where it is required for oxygen and carbondioxide transport. Iron also functions in the electron transport chain as an electron carrier in cytochromes. It is also found in the functional groups of most enzymes in the Krebs cycle and plays a role in regulating dopamine activity.

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