Iron - an indispensable mineral for vitality and health

To clarify this issue, let's look at iron metabolism in a little more detail. There is an average of 3.8 g of iron in the body of an adult man, and 2.3 g in women. The largest part (66%) is bound in the blood pigment hemoglobin, it is also found in muscle myoglobin (15%) and the storage protein ferritin (25%) ). We lose approximately 1 mg of iron per day, mainly through stool, sweat and a very small amount through urine. In women, losses are higher due to menstruation, and during pregnancy, the need for iron increases for the proper development of the fetus.

The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of iron takes into account average absorption from the diet, normal losses, and some variation between individuals. For vegetarians and vegans, the RDA should be multiplied by 1.8x, as the absorbability of iron from plant sources is generally lower than from meat. A number of factors affect the absorption of iron from the diet. Vitamin C improves absorption, while phytates in cereals, legumes and nuts, polyphenols in coffee, tea and red wine and calcium worsen it. Animal proteins promote absorption, while vegetable proteins tend to break them down. The good news is that heme iron from meat is absorbed very efficiently and, unlike non-heme iron, does not particularly suffer from the influence of diet.

For optimal use of iron, its distribution and regulation in the body is absolutely essential. The main carrier is the protein transferrin, whose saturation is usually one of the measured parameters. Paradoxically, high transferrin saturation without a concomitant increase in ferritin stores may indicate intracellular iron deficiency if caused by oxalate accumulation or transferrin receptor mutations. Enzymes dependent on vitamins B2 and B3 and minerals such as calcium and magnesium also play a big role, helping to release iron from the stored ferritin for the current needs of the cells. When this process is disturbed, serum ferritin becomes a very unreliable and misleading indicator.

The level of serum ferritin can rise not only with an excess of iron, but also with oxidative stress, chronic inflammation or lack of oxygen (hypoxia). Although low ferritin usually reliably reflects an iron deficiency, a high level certainly does not mean that there is enough iron even inside the cells! In these situations, the determination of the soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) can help us. Its levels above 3 mg/L can help detect intracellular iron deficiency even in situations where a high transferrin saturation would seem to indicate an excess.

Definitely don't take iron supplements without thinking and "just to be sure", on the contrary, if you suspect iron deficiency, don't stop at just determining the blood count and ferritin. Also have transferrin saturation and soluble transferrin receptor tested. If the low level of iron is confirmed, it is advisable to look for a high-quality and well-absorbed supplement that contains not only iron, but also other substances that support its optimal use.

For example, the natural supplement KREV with fermented minerals and vitamins can be a great choice. It is designed to help optimize the level of iron directly in the cells thanks to the synergistic action of all the necessary vitamins and minerals. In addition to a well-absorbable form of iron, it also contains vitamin C to improve absorption from the intestine, vitamins B2 and B3 and minerals such as zinc, calcium and magnesium, which support the entry of iron into cells and its release from stored ferritin. This thoughtful combination gives the KREV supplement a unique ability to address iron deficiency at the deepest level.

At the same time, do not forget to include natural sources of vitamins and minerals important for iron metabolism in your diet and, if possible, limit the amount of phytates, polyphenols and calcium consumed with iron in the same meal.

In short, the correct level of iron is absolutely essential for our health and vitality. It is worth paying due attention to it, monitoring it with quality tests and, in case of fluctuations to one side or the other, intervene adequately. With the help of the purposefully designed KREV supplement and optimizing your diet, you can effectively get your iron level to the optimum both in the blood and inside the cells. You'll be rewarded with more energy, more beautiful hair, healthier joints, and smoother, more optimistic aging. And that's what it's all about!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​