Abstract
Iron requirement varies widely in different individuals depending upon their age and sex, women of fertile age having the greatest need of iron.
However, the level of iron in the body is relatively constant. It has been reported that stored iron would be in equilibrium with serum iron. Also, it has been known that iron, once absorbed in the body, would remain there. Therefore, it is likely that the normal level of iron is governed by absorption processes in the gastrointestinal tract.
The amount of iron absorbed by the body depends on the total amount in the diet, the absorbability and the regulation capability of its absorption by the body. The iron content of different foods varies widely. Even the same food may show extensive variations in iron content depending upon its origin and treatment. The dietary habits of the people as regards iron are more or less the same in a region and the body iron content of the people living various region show differences.
The serum iron content and hemoglobin content of the people in several regions was investigated and compared. The results obtained are as follows:
1) There are significant relationship between the mean value of serum iron contents of male and female in the investigated regions.
2) A similar relationship was obtained for hemoglobin content.
3) There is significant correlation between the serum iron content of women of fertile age (below 45 years) and the logarithmic values of daily intake of animal protein (p<0.025). The relation proved to be more significant when the serum iron content is plotted against the combination (produce or addition) of logarithm of animal protein and iron (p<0.025).
