How iron, folate, and vitamin B12 sustain red blood cell formation
Iron, folate, and vitamin B12 are essential nutrients that work together to make and mature red blood cells. Their metabolism is tightly controlled because even small deficiencies can impair oxygen delivery and DNA synthesis, leading to anemia.
1️⃣ Iron intake and absorption
Most adults need 10–20 mg of dietary iron per day, but only 3–15% is absorbed in the small intestine. Iron from meat (heme iron) is absorbed more efficiently than iron from plants (non-heme iron). Stomach acid helps convert ferric iron (Fe³⁺) to its absorbable ferrous form (Fe²⁺).
🟢 Example: Vitamin C enhances absorption by reducing Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺, while phytates in grains or excess calcium reduce uptake.
Iron, folate, and vitamin B12 are essential nutrients that work together to make and mature red blood cells. Their metabolism is tightly controlled because even small deficiencies can impair oxygen delivery and DNA synthesis, leading to anemia.
1️⃣ Iron intake and absorption
Most adults need 10–20 mg of dietary iron per day, but only 3–15% is absorbed in the small intestine. Iron from meat (heme iron) is absorbed more efficiently than iron from plants (non-heme iron). Stomach acid helps convert ferric iron (Fe³⁺) to its absorbable ferrous form (Fe²⁺).
🟢 Example: Vitamin C enhances absorption by reducing Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺, while phytates in grains or excess calcium reduce uptake.
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Iron transport and storage
Once absorbed, iron binds to transferrin, the blood’s transport protein, and is delivered to tissues like the bone marrow for red blood cell production. Surplus iron is stored in the liver as ferritin and hemosiderin. The hormone hepcidin from the liver regulates iron export—high levels block release, preventing overload.
🟢 Example: In chronic inflammation, hepcidin rises, trapping iron in macrophages and leading to “anemia of chronic disease.”
Once absorbed, iron binds to transferrin, the blood’s transport protein, and is delivered to tissues like the bone marrow for red blood cell production. Surplus iron is stored in the liver as ferritin and hemosiderin. The hormone hepcidin from the liver regulates iron export—high levels block release, preventing overload.
🟢 Example: In chronic inflammation, hepcidin rises, trapping iron in macrophages and leading to “anemia of chronic disease.”
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3️⃣ Iron recycling
When red blood cells break down, macrophages in the spleen and liver recover the iron from hemoglobin and return it to circulation. This recycling process supplies most of the daily iron needed for new red blood cell formation.
🟢 Example: The body recycles about 25 mg of iron each day, far exceeding the amount absorbed from food.
When red blood cells break down, macrophages in the spleen and liver recover the iron from hemoglobin and return it to circulation. This recycling process supplies most of the daily iron needed for new red blood cell formation.
🟢 Example: The body recycles about 25 mg of iron each day, far exceeding the amount absorbed from food.
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