Trace Minerals

Question 1

Iron

Answer 1

• A trace mineral (the opposite of a major mineral)

Question 2

Where do we Find Iron in the Diet

Answer 2

• Heme Iron: in meat, poultry, fish and seafood
  
  • It’s a heme molecule from hemoglobin or myoglobin
  • If you eat anything made out of muscle cells you get it
  • Non-heme iron: in beans, lentils, grains and some vegetables, iron added to flour or breakfast cereals
  • Eggs as well are non-heme
  • No iron in milk

Question 3

Getting the most out of non-heme iron

Answer 3

• Things that help the absorption:
  
  • Meat
  • Things that inhibit absorption
  • Phytates (whole grains, legumes)
  • Soy bean protein

Question 4

Cooking in Cast Iron

Answer 4

• Increases the iron content of your food

Question 5

How Much do we Absorb?

Answer 5

• Vegan diet - 10&
  
  • Do the DRIs take absorption into account?
  • YES!!!

Question 6

Iron and Hemoglobin

Answer 6

• 2/3 of our body’s iron is in hemoglobin
  
  • Iron binds oxygen molecules to hemoglobin
  • Your body cant make hemoglobin without iron
  • You cant transport oxygen without iron

Question 7

What else does Iron do?

Answer 7

• A component of myoglobin

- Cytochromes in the electron transport chain

Question 8

Fun Fact about Iron and Cytochromes

Answer 8

• Found NATURALLY in apple and peach seeds
  
  • How does it work?
  • Binds to the iron in cytochromes and stops energy metabolism

Question 9

Why so Much?

Answer 9

• Women need more because of menstruation
  
  • Pregnant women need more because:
  • Making the cells of a baby requires iron

Question 10

What is Blood?

Answer 10

• Plasma - the fluid

Red blood cells (aka erythrocytes)

Question 11

What does Blood do?

Answer 11

• Transports OXYGEN
  
  • Transports NUTRIENTS
  • Removes waste products
  • Important in the healing process

Question 12

Healthy Blood vs. Unhealthy

Answer 12

• Usually because of problems with red blood cells

Question 13

Red Blood Cells

Answer 13

• Contain hemoglobin

- Too few red blood cells = anemia

Question 14

What if you don’t get enough Iron?

Answer 14

• Stage 1 - low iron stores
  
  • Stage 2 - low iron transport - still have enough hemoglobin
  • Different kinds of anemia, this info has to do with the anemia related to red blood cells
  • Stage 3 - low hemoglobin levels
  • Get colour in your cheeks back when your anemia is recovered
  • Having more oxygen means you are less tired and lethargic

Question 15

Iron Deficiency Around the World

Answer 15

• The most common nutrient deficiency
  
  • 30% of the world’s’ people have iron deficiency
  • More in third world countries and women

Question 16

Who is at Risk?

Answer 16

• Women and children in developing countries
  
  • Why?
  • Malaria and Parasites increase needs
  • Iron containing foods tend to be more expensive

Question 17

Stan Zlotkin - Sprinkles

Answer 17

• Iron supplements are very expensive
  
  • Can also get damaged easily
  • Very hard for small children since ground up iron can taste very horrible
  • People may also not be comfortable giving their children supplements
  • Created a supplement that comes in foil packages that are heat proof and don’t taste that bad
  • The packaging communicated very effectively to women
  • Have to be very careful with communication

Question 18

What if you get too much?

Answer 18

• Accidental overdose due to iron supplements common in young children
  
  • Nausea, vomiting, dizziness