Minerals iron deficiency

In contrast to the dissolution criteria used for water-soluble vitamins, the hierarchy for index minerals is based on their importance in public health. For example, iron was chosen as the number one index mineral because iron deficiency is the most prevalent condition in the United States and because iron is present in almost all the multivitamin-mineral combination products currently available on the... 

Mineral supplements In general, do not give mineral supplements they may block the absorption of trientine. However, iron deficiency may develop, especially in children and menstruating or pregnant women, or as a result of the low copper diet recommended for Wilson disease. If necessary, iron may be given in short courses, but because iron and trientine each inhibit absorption of the other, allow 2 hours to elapse between administration of trientine and iron. 

Similarly, iron is an essential mineral in hemoglobin that is required to transport oxygen. It is also an essential nutrient in bone marrow, liver, and spleen. Iron deficiency, for example, in cases of anemia, is therefore routinely supplemented with ferrous sulfate or a variety of other iron-based compounds. If its supplementation is not urgent, it can also be replenished by adapting iron-rich diets. Prescribed iron supplements feature in the top 200 most prescribed dmgs in the United States only in 2004 (Table 1.17). 

Mechanism of Action An enzymatic mineral that is an essential component in the formation of Hgb, myoglobin, and enzymes. Promotes effective erythropoiesis and transport and utilization of oxygen (Oj). Therapeutic Effect Prevents iron deficiency. Pharmacokinetics Absorbed in the duodenum and upper jejunum. Ten percent absorbed in patients with normal iron stores increased to 20%-30%in those with inadequate iron stores. Primarily bound to serum transferrin. Excreted in urine, sweat, and sloughing of intestinal mucosa. Half-life 6 hr. 

Iron deficiency is a serious problem in crop production in certain regions of the world ami some nutritionists consider iron deficiency anemia to be one of the most frequently observed mineral element deficiency conditions in humans. Bui iron ferlilizalion of soils is not likely to be effective in decreasing the incidence of this deficiency. The reasons for this apparent contradiction arc based upon the behavior of iron at several stages in the food chain. 

To finally underline the wide functional roles that metal-carbohydrate coordination may play in nature, complexes of this type have long been used as mineral supplements because of their greater absorption in the digestive system, e.g. iron-dextran compositions in treating iron deficiency. More recently, metal pectate compositions (see ref. 165 and literature cited therein) have been advocated for use as mineral supplementation. 

Acid is important in releasing vitamin B12 from food. A minor reduction in oral cyanocobalamin absorption occurs during proton pump inhibition, potentially leading to subnormal Bi2 levels with prolonged therapy. Acid also promotes absorption of food-bound minerals (iron, calcium, zinc) however, no mineral deficiencies have been reported with proton pump inhibitor therapy. 

Molybdenite (MoS2) forms stable assemblages with the sulfur-rich portion of the chalcocite-bornite solid solution, with chalcopyrite solid solution, with the iron-deficient portion of the pyrrhotite solid solution, and with pyrite. Similar intergrowths between the respective ore minerals, stable at low temperatures, are known from numerous localities. 

Iron is an essential nutrient that is sometimes lacking in people s diets. For that reason, physicians often recommend iron for people with certain health conditions, such as iron-deficiency anemia. Some iron products are available without a prescription, either as single-ingredient iron pills or in combination with vitamins or other minerals, including pediatric vitamins with iron. Drugs that contain iron and folic acid are available by prescription and are principally used by women during pregnancy. 

It has been further reported that not only the calcium metabolism but also other minerals and other aspects of mineral status may be influenced by CPPs. Ait-Oukhatar et al. (1997) found that in young iron-deficient rats, CPP-bound iron had a positive effect on some parameters of iron status and metabolism, such as mean cell volume, haemoglobulin and haematocrit, and a negative effect on some parameters, such as urine iron. Other parameters,... 

Water-soluble bioaotives may also be protected from their environment by entrapment within a matrix (e.g., gel) or the use of lipid coats. Most research on delivery of water-soluble bioactives has been on systems for enriching foods with water-soluble vitamins and minerals and more recently on the use of bioactive peptides in food. The delivery of bioavailable iron has been of particular interest because of the widespread problem of iron deficiency. 

One of these approaches is the formation of polysaccharide iron complexes (PIC), such as Niferex, a compound used in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia. PICs are formed by neutralization of FeCb-containing carbohydrate solutions with base. Mineral particles of roughly the same size as ferritin cores can be made. These contain iron in an octahedral enviromnent coordinated to oxygen. However, the long-range order of the polynuclear iron core is closer to that of akaganeite rather than ferrihydrite. ... 

The production of protons is linked to the mineral stoichiometry. Up to one-quarter mole of the protons produced are derived from the oxidation of one mole of the iron-deficient form (x = 0.125), whereas no protons are produced from the stoichiometric form, which is troilite (x = 0). The release of protons can also result from the oxidation of the dissolved iron resulting from... 

A dietary deficiency of calcium can lead to osteoporosis, a disease in which bones are insufficiently mineralized and consequently are fragile and easily fractured. Osteoporosis is a particularly common problem among elderly women. Deficiency of phosphorus results in bone loss along with weakness, anorexia, malaise, and pain. Iron deficiencies lead to anemia, a decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood. 

Mr. Veere s malnourished state was reflected in his admission laboratory profile. The results of hematologic studies were consistent with an iron deficiency anemia complicated by low levels of folic acid and vitamin Bi2, two vitamins that can affect the development of normal red blood cells. His low serum albumin level was caused by insufficient protein intake and a shortage of essential amino acids, which result in a reduced ability to synthesize body proteins. The psychiatrist requested a consultation with a hospital dietician to evaluate the extent of Mr. Veere s marasmus (malnutrition caused by a deficiency of both protein and total calories) as well as his vitamin and mineral deficiencies. 

Iron, whether in the form Fe(II) or Fe(III), is usually found in the body in association with proteins. Little or no iron can be found free in the blood. Because iron-containing proteins are ubiquitous, there is a dietary requirement for this mineral. Severe deficits can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. 

For example, an iron supplement is a common mineral-based drug that is given to patients who suffer iron deficiency, a condition which can lead to fatigue. Iron is a natural metal that is an integral part of body proteins such as hemoglobin that carries oxygen throughout the body. Minerals are obtained from animal and plant sources. 

The way in which the iron core in ferritin might build up and the structure of the mineral and its properties have been considered by many researchers over the years and yet there are still many questions that remain to be answered satisfactorily. From one viewpoint the subject belongs in the area of biomineralization, from a different standpoint the nanoscale properties have been of interest, and a third important area of research concerns the health aspects of iron storage and homeostasis. For this latter field the problems of too much or too little are to the fore, with iron overload disease a serious problem in much of Africa and the Middle East while in the Western world iron deficiency is more likely to be a problem. A key aspect to such health problems concerns the response of the organism to local iron levels and is regulated in healthy subjects by an iron response element (IRE) which also seems to involve metalloproteins within the so-called iron response protein. However, this has but little bearing on coordination chemistry aspects of ferritins that we are considering here whereas the chemical questions behind the mineralization processes and the measurement and interpretation of the physical properties of such nanoscale particles are of intense interest. It turns out to be helpful to consider these two aspects in tandem, as one tends to inform the other. 

---