What Are the Functions of the Liver Regarding Iron?
The liver processes hemoglobin for use of its iron. The liver also stores some iron until it's needed when body reserves are low.
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Facts
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The adult human liver weighs approximately 3 pounds and performs more than 200 functions, according to the American Liver Society. In the human body, it stores approximately 2 to 4 grams of iron.
How
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Iron helps deliver oxygen to body tissues and cells. Hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen around the body, contains four units of iron and distributes it to be used by major body organs or to be stored in the liver for later use.
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Toxicity
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Iron is absorbed based on need so that the body takes from food what it requires. The liver plays a role in regulating this balance, but there is a genetic disorder called hemochromatosis that interferes with the body's ability to regulate iron absorption.
Deficiency
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The estimated 2 to 4 grams of stored iron in the body is not sufficient to effectively prevent iron-deficiency anemia. Dietary iron comes from food sources such as legumes and leafy greens, but the heme form of iron can only be obtained from meats, fish and poultry.
Special Populations
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Pregnant women are encouraged to consume more iron so that newborns have stores of iron in their livers. Most newborns' iron stores are depleted within three months.
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