The cells of the human body contains Iron. The iron content in the body will be 5 + or -2 gm. The amount of Iron varies with body weight. Hemoglobin also effects the iron content of the body. In the body iron is present in Red Blood Cells. Iron is also present in the muscles. Iron may be also present in the enzymes. Iron may bind it self to proteins in the body. Iron is also present in the cells and cellular enzymes.

The source of Iron for human body is by food. Iron from vegetable foods will be absorbed less. Iron from animal foods will be more absorbed. In other words animal iron will be better absorbed than vegetable iron. Liver and meat are rich in iron content. Beans, peas, bananas, spinach, cereals, green vegetables contain iron.Thus the iron taken with food will ab absorbed in the digestive system. Various factors affect iron absorption. The factors that are responsible for iron absorption are as follows:

1. Food iron must be reduced to absorb-able form.

2. In normal conditions ten percent of iron will be absorbed.

3. People with iron deficiency may absorb more than ten percent.

4. If the diet contains reducing agents more iron will be absorbed.

5. Iron absorption increased if the diet contains less phosphorus.

6. Only five percent of wheat iron will be absorbed.

7. Antacids decrease iron absorption.

8. Iron will be absorbed less in the presence of pancreatic juices.

9. Certain diseases decrease iron absorption.

After absorption iron enters the blood. The iron then will be sent to storage. From there to the areas of iron utilization. Iron will be stored in the bone marrow, spleen, liver etc.,

Excretion of Iron takes by the following processes:

1. Iron will be excreted from feces.

2. Iron will be lost from hair and skin.

3. Iron will be lost from sweat. In hot countries like India through sweat iron loss takes place.

4. Iron will be lost from urine

5. Women loose iron from the body during menstruation and through milk during lactation.

The following are the good sources of iron:

1. Rice bran, wheat flour and similar foods are rich sources of iron.

2. Pulses are good source of iron. Typical example is Bengal gram.

3. Leafy vegetables are sources of iron.

4. Tamarind, Jagger y and turmeric contain iron in them.

5. Meat, liver, crab muscles and other animal foods contain iron.

6. Milk contains less iron.

Anemia is mainly due to less synthesis of blood protein hemoglobin. This protein contains iron. Anemia also occurs due to loss of blood, vitamin deficiency, diseases. Less intake of food also causes anemia.

Various factors cause iron deficiency. A balanced diet contains all the nutrients. So it is always better to take balanced diet that contains all the necessary nutrients.

Iron is not only useful in the construction of buildings but also to human beings and animals.