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==What is Iron?==

==What is Iron?==

Iron is one of the most abundant chemical elements on earth, and is most commonly found as iron oxide minerals. It is an essential nutrient in dogs and cats, but it is designated a ‘trace’ element as it is required in much smaller amounts than major minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. Dietary iron is found in two forms: inorganic and organic, the latter mainly as haem iron where the iron is at the centre of an organic complex.

Iron is '''one of the most abundant chemical elements on earth''', and is most commonly found as iron oxide minerals. It is an '''essential nutrient''' in dogs and cats, but it is designated a '''trace element''' as it is required in much smaller amounts than major minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. Dietary iron is found in two forms: inorganic and organic, the latter mainly as haem iron where the iron is at the centre of an organic complex.

==Why is it Important?==

==Why is it Important?==

Iron was recognised as an essential dietary component more than 100 years ago. Its primary role is to serve as a component of haemoglobin and myoglobin which are the key for the transport and movement of oxygen around the body. It also functions in a number of enzymes such as the cytochromes, that are key regulators in energy metabolism.  

Iron was recognised as an essential dietary component more than 100 years ago. Its primary role is to serve as a '''component of haemoglobin and myoglobin''' which are the key for the transport and movement of oxygen around the body. It also functions in a number of enzymes such as the cytochromes, that are key regulators in energy metabolism.  

==Roles in the Body==

==Roles in the Body==

Haemoglobin found in the red blood cells (erythrocytes) transports oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. Myoglobin is the primary oxygen transporter in muscle tissues As a component of cytochromes, such as cytochrome c and cytochrome oxidase, iron is also essential for the functioning of the electron transport chain and the production of energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). After haem, the liver contains the largest iron stores, as ferritin or haemosiderin, both of which are iron-containing proteins<ref name="Naigamwalla">Naigamwalla, DZ, Webb, JA, Giger, U (2012). “Iron deficiency anaemia”. Canad. Vet. J. 53:250-256.</ref>. Body stores of iron are tightly regulated to provide adequate supplies for nutritional requirements, while avoiding toxicity from excess. This is achieved primarily by regulating absorption. The biological availability of iron is affected by a number of factors, in particular the chemical form of the iron source <span style="color:red">[WikiVet Link to Section 6]</span>. In addition, some minerals, especially calcium, can decrease the absorption of iron so if calcium supplements are being given to the animal it is particularly important to ensure that the dietary iron content is adequate.

Haemoglobin found in the red blood cells (erythrocytes) transports oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. Myoglobin is the primary oxygen transporter in muscle tissues As a component of cytochromes, such as cytochrome c and cytochrome oxidase, iron is also essential for the functioning of the electron transport chain and the production of energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). After haem, the liver contains the largest iron stores, as ferritin or haemosiderin, both of which are iron-containing proteins<ref name="Naigamwalla">Naigamwalla, DZ, Webb, JA, Giger, U (2012). “Iron deficiency anaemia”. Canad. Vet. J. 53:250-256.</ref>. Body stores of iron are tightly regulated to provide adequate supplies for nutritional requirements, while avoiding toxicity from excess. This is achieved primarily by regulating absorption. The biological availability of iron is affected by a number of factors, in particular the chemical form of the iron source <span style="color:red">[WikiVet Link to Section 6]</span>. In addition, some minerals, especially calcium, can decrease the absorption of iron so if calcium supplements are being given to the animal it is particularly important to ensure that the dietary iron content is adequate.

==Consequences of Iron Deficiency==

==Consequences of Iron Deficiency==

==Dietary Sources==

==Dietary Sources==

Animal products are rich sources of iron, and typically manufactured dog and cat foods include materials containing organic iron in the form of haem, such as meat meals, meat and bone meals, fish meals and blood meals. Nevertheless some mineral supplements such as ground limestone and calcium phosphate can contain high amounts of iron. Supplemental sources of iron commonly added to dog and cat foods include salts such as ferrous sulphate or fumarate. Iron can exist in two oxidation states, ferrous (Fe²⁺) and ferric (Fe³⁺), and the ferrous salts in general (especially the sulphate) have higher bio-availability. In contrast, ferric oxide has a very low bio-availability and is unsuitable as a dietary source. These differences in bio-availability are reflected in their degree of toxicity <span style="color:red">[WikiVet Link to Section 5].</span>

'''Animal products are rich sources of iron''', and typically manufactured dog and cat foods include materials containing organic iron in the form of haem, such as meat meals, meat and bone meals, fish meals and blood meals. Nevertheless some mineral supplements such as ground limestone and calcium phosphate can contain high amounts of iron. Supplemental sources of iron commonly added to dog and cat foods include salts such as ferrous sulphate or fumarate. Iron can exist in two oxidation states, ferrous (Fe²⁺) and ferric (Fe³⁺), and the ferrous salts in general (especially the sulphate) have higher bio-availability. In contrast, ferric oxide has a very low bio-availability and is unsuitable as a dietary source. These differences in bio-availability are reflected in their degree of toxicity <span style="color:red">[WikiVet Link to Section 5].</span>

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:To Do - Nutrition]]

[[Category:To Do - Nutrition]]