Tag: Ferroportin

The human body recycles approximately 25 milligrams of iron each day, and to manage this, it relies on a specialized mechanism. The central player is the transport protein of iron, called transferrin, which ensures this essential mineral is delivered safely and efficiently throughout the body, preventing toxicity.

Chronic inflammation is a significant risk factor for iron deficiency, with up to 40% of hospitalized patients with chronic disease suffering from anemia of inflammation. The intricate link between the body's immune response and iron metabolism is controlled by a master regulator hormone called hepcidin, which explains why inflammation decreases iron absorption. Understanding this process is key to managing health conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic infections.

Worldwide, iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency, and at the core of its pathology is a powerful regulator: the hormone hepcidin. While low iron intake is a primary cause, surprisingly, high levels of this specific hormone can also cause iron deficiency by blocking the body's ability to utilize stored and dietary iron.

An estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from anemia, and a significant portion is driven by inflammation. Understanding why inflammation cytokines reduce iron absorption is crucial for addressing the underlying cause of this condition, often referred to as anemia of inflammation.

The human body absorbs only about 1–2 milligrams of iron each day, despite a daily iron requirement of up to 25 milligrams for red blood cell production. This delicate balance is centrally managed by the liver-derived hormone hepcidin, which acts as the body's master controller of iron homeostasis. Hepcidin's primary role is to regulate the amount of iron entering the bloodstream from dietary absorption, recycled red blood cells, and storage sites.

As part of a host defense mechanism known as nutritional immunity, the body actively withholds iron from invaders. This critical tactic explains why we can't give iron during infection, as doing so provides essential nutrients to pathogens, potentially exacerbating the illness and interfering with antibiotic efficacy.

The body is a semi-closed system for iron, with no active mechanism for its excretion. Instead, what breaks down iron in the body involves a complex, tightly regulated process of recycling, absorption, and controlled loss to prevent both deficiency and overload.

Over 2 billion people worldwide are affected by iron deficiency, yet the body also possesses a remarkable defense system to prevent iron overload, which can be toxic and life-threatening. This vital function, which prevents the body from absorbing too much iron, is primarily orchestrated by a master regulatory hormone produced in the liver.

According to research from the National Institutes of Health, the peptide hormone hepcidin is the master regulator of iron absorption, and it directly controls the flow of iron into the bloodstream from dietary sources. If you have ever wondered **what hormone inhibits iron absorption?**, hepcidin is the answer, acting as a gatekeeper to prevent iron from entering your body when levels are sufficient.