Metals in Medicine

Iron compounds are essential to life

Periodic table with iron highlighted

In our bodies, iron is essential for carrying oxygen in our blood to provide energy for our cells.

People who are deficient in iron are said to be anaemic. They are often very tired and lethargic and low in energy. There are many forms of anaemia, but the most common is iron deficient anaemia.

You can work out how much iron you have in your body, because everyone has approximately 0.06 g of iron per kg body weight. For example, if you weigh 60 kg, you should have about 3.6 g (0.06 x 60) of iron in your body.

Breakfast cereals are said to contain a lot of iron, but by doing a simple experiment we can show that the iron is added as iron filings, very little of which will be absorbed by the body, so don't rely on breakfast cereals for your daily supply!

Take a handful of Special K and grind it into smaller pieces (by hand). Put the cereal into a bowl and add about 100 ml water. You will need a magnetic stirrer and a follower (the magnet). Stir the cereal for about 10 minutes. Lift the follower out of the mixture and you should be able to see iron filings on it.

Next - Iron Makes Our blood red

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Metals Are Essential for Life - Lithium treats mental illness - Carbonate - Why Are Fizzy Drinks Bad for our Teeth? - Iron compounds are essential to life - Iron Makes Our blood red - How Do We Get Energy From Oxygen? - Iron is Used to Make Steel - Platinum is Used in Treating Cancer - Cis and Trans? - Titanium is used to make hip replacements - Barium is used to see inside our bodies - Lead: a toxic metal that protects us from x-rays

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