Iron Absorption: Key Factors That Boost or Block Iron Intake in the Body

Iron Absorption: Key Factors That Boost or Block Iron Intake in the Body

Factors affecting iron absorption.
Answer.

Factors Affecting Iron Absorption

Factors Which Increase Iron Aborption

• Low pH (acidic pH) increases absorption
• Vitamin C and glutathione increase iron absorption
• Small peptides and amino acids increase iron absorption
• In iron deficiency anaemia iron absorption is increased 10 times more than normal
• Copper increases iron absorption
• Meat, chicken and fish increase iron absorption

Iron Absorption: Key Factors That Boost or Block Iron Intake in the Body

Factors Which Decrease Iron Absorption

• Phytates present in corn, soya and cereals decrease iron absorption
• Oxalates, present in leafy vegetables and chocolates decrease iron absorption
• A diet with high phosphorus content decreases iron absorption
• Tea, coffee and eggs decrease iron absorption
• Dietary fibers decrease iron absorption

How Iron Absorption Works: Boosting and Blocking Factors

• Alkaline pH decreases iron absorption
• Impaired absorption of iron is found in malabsorption syndromes such as steatorrheoa
• In patients with partial or total surgical removal of stomach / intestine, iron absorption is impaired
• Parasitic infection (hookworm) decreases iron absorption