Dietary Iron and Cancer
Iron encourages
the formation of cancer-causing free radicals. Of course,
the body needs a certain amount of iron for healthy blood
cells. But beyond this rather small amount, iron becomes a
dangerous substance, acting as a catalyst for the formation
of free radicals. Because of this, research studies have
shown that higher amounts of iron in the blood mean higher
cancer risk.
Once iron is
absorbed by the digestive tract, the body stores it. Most of
us accumulate much more iron than we need. In spite of the
advertising from iron supplement manufacturers, "iron
overload" is much more common in America than iron
deficiency. The reason is the daily diet of red meats, which
contributes much more iron than most people can safely
handle over the long run. A diet of grains, vegetables,
fruits, and beans provides adequate iron, without the risk
of overload.
It is easy to
check whether your body has accumulated too much stored
iron. The following set of tests will check for both iron
deficiency and iron overload. The more general hemoglobin
and hematocrit tests are not sufficient. Although general
guidelines are given here, the tests should be interpreted
by your doctor:
Doctors divide
the serum-iron value by the TIBC. The result should be 16 to
50 percent for women and 16 to 62 percent for men. Results
above these norms indicate excess iron. Results below these
norms indicate iron deficiency. A further test sometimes
used to check for iron deficiency is the red cell
protoporphyrin test. A result greater than 70 units is
considered abnormal. If two of these three values (serum
ferritin, serum iron/TIBC, and red cell protoporphyrin) are
normal, iron-deficiency anemia is not likely. Serum iron and
TIBC should be measured after fasting overnight.
Unfortunately,
the body has no way to rid itself of excess iron. Believe it
or not, the only way to predictably reduce excessive iron
stores is by donating blood. So this altruistic act can have
health benefits for the donor as well.
Source:
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
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