The Role of Iron as a Micronutrient in Key Biological Functions, Health and Diseases in Human

Iron is a key micronutrient essential for the function of many enzymatic and non-enzymatic proteins that carry out a diverse set of biological functions, including erythropoiesis, oxygen transport, cellular respiration and immunity. Iron levels are tightly maintained in the human body, while reduced or excess amounts of iron can lead to many different health concerns. Despite the numerous approaches, including iron supplementation, currently being employed at both the individual and community levels to address iron deficiency, it is still a global health concern that primarily affects lower-income communities and people suffering from different diseases and health conditions, such as cancer, infectious diseases, abnormal menstruation and pregnancy. Iron overload is also an adverse health condition that leads to detrimental effects on human health. Excessive iron accumulation in the body due to hereditary hemochromatosis or long-term high iron intake in individuals with hemochromatosis can lead to life-threatening conditions, such as impaired cellular respiration, diabetes and impairment and failure of key organs. Chelation therapy and blood removal are well-known therapeutic strategies that have been used in controlling iron overload. This review considers the role of iron in human physiology, its involvement in various pathological conditions, and the consequences of iron deficiency and iron overload. Therapeutic approaches to manage and correct such conditions are also discussed.