On page 5-6 of Dr. Moalmen's book Survival of the Sickest he discusses the vital importance of Iron for everyday metabolism. Iron is able to carry out oxygen from our lungs into our bloodstreams and releases Iron wherever our bodies need it. Iron does most of the heavy lifting, helphing us detoxify poisons and converts sugar into energy. With a low Iron diet our bodies become suseptible to anemia, a lack of red blood cells causing fatigue, shortness of breath, and heart failure.
This relates to Big Idea 1 explaining the processes of evolution and the unity of life because with too little of Iron in our bloodstream is a selective disadvantage. Iron is a basis for a functional metabolism. Also, having too much of Iron is a selective disadvantage because too much can attract parasites and cancer cells. In order to survive and reproduce you need just the right amount of Iron and those who have too much or too little will not. (Basic Goldilocks Principal of Biology).
If what Dr. Moalmen says is true about Iron, how can we produce just the right amount of Iron in our bloodstream? Please provide a few examples either in the book or from an alternative source of ways to combat deadly situations like Anemia or Parasitism (Please provide examples for BOTH too much and too little Iron). Also, please identify and explain what other Big Idea can be argued on pages 5 & 6?
Elliot Rosen (erosen3@students.d125.org)
According to Dr Moalem on page 4, iron is required for humans to perform almost every metabolic function we carry out. Too little iron can result in fatigue, heart failure, confusion, and dizziness; too much iron can attract and feed multiple parasites and bacteria. For these reasons, iron regulation is crucial. The human body has a few methods of regulating the amount of iron in our systems, and these methods connect perfectly with our current study of the immune system!
ReplyDeleteNot only do humans require iron to survive, but so do parasites and bacteria. In order to prevent these foreign invaders from using our iron resource, we humans rely on our external, non-specific defense. This first life of defense consists of mucus membranes such as saliva, mucus, tears, and ear wax. Chelators are found within the mucus membranes, and the chelators are proteins that lock up molecules of iron to prevent the parasites and bacteria from accessing the iron. Dr. Moalem also describes acute phase response on page 7. The acute phase response locks away iron when the body is first infected by illness to prevent the parasites and bacteria from using our iron resources to harm our bodies.
Anemia is an example of an iron-deficiency disorder. In order to combat this deadly iron-deficiency, patients may be prescribed iron supplement pills or iron supplement shots. More vitamin C is also required in an anemic patient because the vitamin C helps the body absorb iron. If the anemia is more critical, a blood transfusion may be necessary in order to replenish the red blood cells in the body (WebMD).
Parkinson’s is an example of a disease caused by the buildup of iron in the brain. The body accumulates iron overtime which is why older people have Parkinson’s. According to the article “Hysterectomy Is Associated With Increased Levels of Iron in the Brain; Study Suggests Reducing Iron May Lower Age-Related Brain Disease Risk” from ScienceDaily, some suggested methods of iron reduction include avoiding iron supplement pills, consuming less red meat, and trying to consume more “natural iron-chelating substances… such as curcumin or green tea” (ScienceDaily). Also, woman are advised to avoid hysterectomies (surgical removal of the uterus) before menopause because the menstruation period blood carries much iron that cannot exit the body unless the woman is capable of having a period.
Iron regulation relates to Big Idea 1 as mentioned in the prompt. Iron regulation also relates to Big Idea 4 (Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties). The interaction between the organs involved in the immune system (thymus, bone marrow, lymph nodes, etc.) helps regulate iron in the body by fending off foreign invaders that would otherwise steal the body’s iron and use the iron to worsen the infection.
Christine Fanning (cfannin4@students.d125.org)