1. Fe++
Fe++
Fe++
Intestine
Fe++
absorption 15-20 %
Heme iron is easily
absorbed as a whole
structure with high
bio-availability.
Non-heme iron
must be dissolved
before uptake.
Because of low
absorption reactive
free iron ions
remain in the gut.
Fe++
Fe++
Fe++
Fe++
Fe++
absorption 2-4 %
Intestine
Fe++
2. Iron
in
food
Bone
marrow
Hemoglobin
Menstrua2on
(other
bleedings)
Heme
iron
Serum
iron
Hemolysis
Urine
Non-‐heme
iron
Bile
(faeces)
Free
iron
Fe++
Intes2ne
cells
Faeces
All
cells
Cell
apoptosis
Excreted
cells
Sweat
1
mg/day
Iron metabolism in the body
INTAKE USAGE EXCRETION