A new global study has explored the role of iron in a wide selection of health conditions. The results infer that a high iron concentration can favor the appearance and development of bacterial skin infections.
It is well-known that iron is an essential mineral for the human body. Traces of iron can be found in all of the human cells, but the most significant concentration, which reaches almost 70%, can be found in red blood cells. Iron is vital in the production of the hemoglobin, a protein which brings oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
Other benefits are the elimination of fatigue, a better immune system, superior muscle strength, and avoiding anemia. Anemia is an affliction which appears when the number of healthy blood cells is too low to provide the required amount of oxygen. Anemia is accompanied by a feeling of fatigue and weakness, dizziness, and shortness of breath. It ranges from mild to severe, and it is estimated that almost 1.62 billion people are affected by it.
A new study argues that too much iron leads to skin infections
During the study, the researchers observed the impact of both high and low iron levels across a variety of health conditions. Surveying data from several 500,000 people obtained the results. The researchers used a statistical method known as the Mendelian randomization, allowing them to estimate the causal influence of iron status on approximately 900 diseases.
The positive effects of iron are entirely documented in the scientific community, with a recent study mentioning that high iron levels could prevent high cholesterol.
The researchers were surprised when they discovered that high iron levels have the potential to increase the risk of skin infections. While previous studies may have shown that iron plays an essential role in the survival and growth of the bacteria, this is the first paper which presents a tie between high iron levels and skin infections. Further research is already underway, and the study was published in a medical journal.
