Iron Supplements May Not Aid Health

Several studies have been released in the last month investigating the links between high levels of iron in the diet and levels of heart disease. The studies are fairly contradictory of each other, but all suggest that taking higher than normal levels of iron supplements is unwise.

One study found that men who regularly gave blood donations, and pre-menopausal women (who lose blood through menstruation) were at lower risk of heart disease. Losing blood has the effect of reducing iron levels within the body. Studies also suggest that the high iron content of red meat may be more closely related to heart disease than it's high fat content.

A team of researchers from Kurume Medical School in Japan believe the damage is caused by a natural process caused by high iron levels which is very similar to 'rusting' on the inside of the blood vessels.

Oxidative stress on the lining of blood vessels, the same process as occurs in rusting outside the body, destroys the blood vessels and may lead to clotting and the formation of scar tissue inside the arteries, which eventually lead to higher blood pressure and risk of coronary arrest.

Friday, 10 November 2000