Iron is an essential nutrient that your body requires to build cells, particularly blood cells and immune cells. We need Iron for many crucial functions. For example it is what red blood cells use to transport oxygen around our body, in fact, it is Iron which gives it the red color. Iron is also used to create the cells of the adaptive immune system, particularly the lymphocytes, or red white blood cells.
We need our white blood cells in order for our body to withstand any kind of extended infection. Our body’s initial immune response, or the innate immunity is a general response which attacks the first pathogens detected, and passes info on to the white blood cells, which then mount a specific response. This includes sending out killer cells which are attuned to the virus, and creating antibodies, which protect from any subsequent infection from the same virus or it’s variants.
Lower Levels of Iron are Indicators of Less Severe Infection
Since the COVID outbreak began in 2019, researchers have been trying to find all the information they can on the factors surrounding the disease and the severity of it’s symptoms. In 2020, an interesting finding was found regarding Iron. Those communities which had noted Iron deficiencies were experiencing less cases of COVID, and with less severity.
It turns out that excess iron in cells allow the COVID viral cells to bind to them more easily. Not only that, but the excess iron is utilized by the virus to multiply and create inflammation as well. Further research conducted in 2021 showed that keeping Iron consumption at appropriate levels can lessen the possibility of severe symptoms.
Methods of keeping Iron levels low are monitoring your intake and consuming lactoferrin and other iron chelators. Some vegetables, such as Eggplant, are very good at this.
A Delicate Balancing Act
Too little Iron and you can suffer from Anemia, a condition where your body cannot circulate Oxygen and your immune cells cannot multiply.
Too much Iron also has it’s negative effects, as shown above.
Make sure to keep the amount of iron you consume close to the recommended 8mg.