Ironic catastrophes: one's food--another's poison

Iron deficiency is an important nutritional problem in third world countries because it diminishes work performance. In meat-eating countries, iron excess may be more important than iron deficiency. Heme iron is more efficiently absorbed from the diet than inorganic iron, and iron excess can produce cellular oxidation in association with superoxide dismutase. Metal ion catalysis is linked to aging, coronary artery disease, stroke, carcinogenesis, neurodegenerative disorders, and inflammatory disorders. Prudence is advised in the excessive consumption of meat and iron supplementation of the diet until this process is more thoroughly investigated.