Iron

Question 1

iron depletion:
serum ferritin
haemoglobin
transferrin saturation

Answer 1

<35 ug/L
>115 g/L
>16%

Question 2

iron deficient erythropoiesis:
serum ferritin
haemoglobin
transferrin saturation

Answer 2

<20 ug/L
>115 g/L
<16%

Question 3

iron deficiency anaemia:
serum ferritin
haemoglobin
transferrin saturation

Answer 3

<12 ug/L
<115 g/L
<16%

Question 4

groups at risk of iron depletion

Answer 4

females
endurance athletes
vegetarians (& those who eat little red meat)

Question 5

why is iron important to athletes?

Answer 5

• functional component of haemoglobin & myoglobin - optimal O2 delivery & O2 diffusion to the cellular site of energy production
• RBC production
• maintains aerobic metabolism -> endurance capacity
• neural, immune & cognitive function

Question 6

effects of anaemia & without

Answer 6

• decrease aerobic & work capacity
• decrease RBC -> decrease O2 transport -> decrease VO2 max
• can affect brain & muscle metabolism, immunity & temp control
• may reduce oxidative capacity & impair endurance capacity

Question 7

primary contributors of fatigue are _____ or ______ related

Answer 7

training
infection

Question 8

iron absorption when iron stores are saturated, depleted or with high requirements, & veg diets

Answer 8

5-15%
14-18%
5-12%

Question 9

iron enhancers

Answer 9

vit c
some fermented foods with low pH
peptides from partly digested muscle tissue
alcohol & some organic acids
vit a & beta-carotene

Question 10

iron inhibitors

Answer 10

phytates
polyphenols
calcium
peptides from partly digested plant & animal proteins

Question 11

physiological causes of iron deficiency

Answer 11

• training, strenuous exercise & hypoxia (increase requirements, iron loss & decrease absorption)
• training at altitude/hypoxia
• growth, pregnancy & lactation & menstruation
• blood loss & other medical causes

Question 12

dietary causes of iron deficiency

Answer 12

• veg diets
• Low energy diets
• natural eaters
• fad diets & weight-control products