28/08/2024
Your body has enough iron to make a 7.6 cm (3 in) long metal nail.
The main function of iron in your body is to help transport oxygen. Iron combines with hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body's tissues and cells. Your body needs iron to convert food into energy. Iron also helps store any excess of oxygen in muscles. It’s also important for maintaining normal cognitive functions of the brain such as memory, learning, concentration, and problem-solving. Iron aids in the maturation of important immune cells that protect us from various infections. Without iron, the human body cannot synthesize DNA. Iron also helps keep your skin and hair healthy by being involved in the synthesis of collagen and elastin. Collagen is a protein that gives skin its firmness, while elastin keeps your skin tight. Iron helps in the proper functioning of many enzymes that are involved in the synthesis of dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters help regulate our mood. The human body cannot make iron. It must be obtained through the diet or supplements.
