Iron is a vital mineral that acts as a coenzyme (a co-factor) in many processes in the body. The most well-known is oxygen transport in red blood cells. The thyroid gland also requires sufficient iron levels for healthy function. The production of dopamine and noradrenaline also requires iron to produce sufficient hormones. (Fig. 1) Thus, iron is one of the most important minerals in our body, and unfortunately, it is often deficient.
Unfortunately, the deficiency is often only noticed far too late. Only when constant fatigue becomes overwhelming, the legs become restless (dopamine deficiency), mood becomes depressed, and thyroid hormones plummet, is iron checked and supplemented with iron tablets.
But why do many people not tolerate iron very well?
Quite simply. The upper part of the small intestine, where most of the iron is absorbed, has a maximum absorption capacity averaging 20 mg per day (average daily intake 14 mg).
When the remaining iron, which cannot be absorbed by the small intestine, moves further into the large intestine, it serves as food for bacteria, which we then feed and which multiply significantly.
(Figure 2)
Unfortunately, these are often bacteria we don't want in that size, as their end product produces substances that are harmful to the intestines. In the best case, this only leads to "constipation," as we reduce the lactobacilli and bifidus bacteria by taking iron. In the worst case, we fuel the formation of polyps. Iron intake causes some intestinal bacteria to produce hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. These substances irritate the mucous layer on the intestinal cells, and this can lead to increased polyp formation.
And now?
The consequence of this is that in cases of dysbiosis and intestinal problems, iron must be administered intravenously to largely circumvent this mechanism. However, be careful: iron deficiency often results not only in a lack of iron, but also in a lack of B vitamins and vitamin C. In severe, long-term iron deficiency, zinc is also lacking, as zinc is incorporated into hemoglobin as a substitute for iron. To circumvent all of these problems, iron must be administered intravenously, along with oral B vitamins (folic acid, B6, B3, B12) and vitamin C.
Caution: be careful with too much iron!
A storage iron level of 70-150 ng/ml is recommended for women and 100-300 ng/ml for men.
Too much iron not only stimulates "bad" intestinal bacteria, but also has a pro-oxidant effect in the body, which means it promotes inflammation. To prevent this from happening, administer iron IV (intravenously) in small doses two to three times in a row rather than 1000mg IV all at once. Sometimes even 500mg of iron IV can be too much, especially if other chronic inflammations (rheumatism, dead teeth) are present in the body and these inflammations are acutely fueled by the high iron dose.
Figure 2
linkcourtesy of B. Yilmaz
