Iron overload

IRON OVERLOAD

Iron regulation in the body is very precise. In some cases, excessive iron may still occur as the body cannot excrete it. The most severe condition of excessive iron retention in the body is called “hereditary hemochromatosis”. This disease is divided into four types based on the mutations. Most people suffering from hemochromatosis carry a homozygote mutation in the HFE gene (C282Y G>A.). Hereditary hemochromatosis may form a predisposing factor for many other illnesses due to the excessive iron retained in the body.

In addition to hereditary risk, iron retention may occur in connection with metabolic syndrome or diabetes. In practice, this has been found in research situations in which an individual has been diagnosed with elevated ferritin levels linked to elevated fasting blood sugar levels, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. In studies, this has been called "dysmetabolic iron overload syndrome” (DIOS). Such individuals have also been found to have elevated levels of hepcidin. This, in turn, may alter the genes that encode insulin production. Excessive iron causes oxidative stress in the body and may cause damage to the pancreatic beta cells (producing insulin). Iron retention also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Increased serum ferritin levels have been linked to increased cardiovascular diseases and calcification and atherosclerosis in the veins.

According to a study conducted on Finnish men, only slightly elevated stored iron (ferritin) levels are linked to sugar metabolism disruptions and elevated blood sugar levels. It is particularly important to study the ferritin levels of individuals with diabetes or heart disease. Individuals with excessive ferritin or hepcidin levels should avoid excessive iron intake from food and choose low-iron protein sources. In severe cases, venesection (blood donation) and/or iron chelation therapy is often recommended. These always require treatment and monitoring by a physician. According to a review article published in 2014, moderately or significantly elevated ferritin levels are linked to increased and premature mortality at the general population level.

Using the HFE gene test, it is possible to reveal any hereditary risk for hemochromatosis and iron retention in the body. The gene variants studied are HFE C282Y and H63D.

The following factors can help reduce the amount of iron in the body:

• Avoid the consumption of offal, game, and shellfish (these are rich in iron)
• Limit the consumption of lamb and beef to 2–3 times per week
• Limit the intake of vitamin C to 200 mg per day (vitamin C promotes iron absorption)
• Avoid the consumption of alcohol and sugar (these increase iron absorption in the intestine)
• Avoid taking multivitamins that contain iron
• Eat a wide variety of fruit and vegetables (these inhibit iron absorption and reduce the oxidative stress caused by iron)
• Drink coffee or tea with meals (tannins inhibit iron absorption)
• Grapefruit seed oil and green tea

If excessive iron is retained in the body, quercetin and curcumin can help reduce the oxidative stress caused by iron.