Iron is an intriguing nutrient with many paradoxical characteristics. it is the most abundant element on our planet and yet it is hard for living organisms to access due to its very low solubility. Its ability to switch easily between the ferric and ferrous state is key to its usefulness in many biological reactions. Iron is an essential and usually highly beneficial nutrient, but at the same time can wreak havoc if not appropriately chaperoned to prevent it from causing oxidant damage. These chaperone processes are also critical in with-holding iron from bacterial pathogens and maintaining relatively hypoferremic conditions such that microorganisms will not be able to multiply rapidly and can be dealt with by the immune system.
Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Adults