Iron how is it useful

Iron has played a key role in humanity's history, as those who could manipulate it to craft weapons, tools, and other materials gained economic and political power. Steel is used to make paperclips, skyscrapers, and everything in between. Iron is also an important element in plant and animal life. In plants it plays a role in the creation of chlorophyll, and in humans it plays a crucial role in the vascular system. This puts the yearly energy use of attaining iron in the ballpark of 10 exajoules.

To learn more about what happens to iron once it is mined, see: Steel. Iron is one of the few elements that exhibits ferromagnetism. Iron overdoses are rare. Most of the time, if there is more iron in the body than necessary, the body will save it for future use. Most people get all the iron they need from their diets, but certain illnesses may make it necessary to use iron supplements.

Iron is helpful for treating anemia, one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in the world. Anemia results when hemoglobin is below normal ranges. Symptoms of anemia include fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, fast heart rate, and an overall feeling of sickness and weakness. The chief function of iron is to form hemoglobin, a red blood cell protein whose main purpose is to transport oxygen in the blood.

Additional hemoglobin is important, because humans lose blood in many ways, especially from injuries. Women lose blood every month during their menstrual cycles, which is one of the reasons women may be more likely to suffer from anemia. Iron may help manage unexplained fatigue, which can affect both men and women. This is especially common in women during their reproductive years. Fatigue from iron deficiency involves more than just a normal level of sleepiness.

It causes tiredness that interferes with a person's daily routine, and activities may feel exhausting and less enjoyable. People with low iron experience fatigue lasting several weeks or longer. Iron-rich foods and supplements can help raise iron levels and eliminate feelings of tiredness and exhaustion.

Muscle metabolism and low iron are linked. Adequate levels of iron help provide the necessary oxygen for muscle contraction and endurance.

Muscle weakness is one of the most common signs of anemia. Low iron also makes muscles fatigue easier. A lack of iron will leave muscle tissues inflamed, causing pain. Iron-rich hemoglobin helps to reduce pain, because it repairs affected tissues. Iron plays an important role in strengthening the immune system.

It promotes hemoglobin, which provides oxygen to damaged cells, tissues, and organs and is necessary for the body's ability to fight diseases and infections. Therefore, low iron status can impair immune function and the healing process. Research shows that cognitive levels drop with iron deficiency. When iron levels in the blood drop, concentration and attentiveness are affected almost immediately.

Getting iron levels restored to a normal range can improve concentration and boost cognitive performance. People who bruise easily may be suffering from low iron or an actual iron deficiency.

This is because hemoglobin affects the production and function of platelets, which control blood-clotting. Iron is also found in abundance in space and is the last component to be produced with release of energy before the collapse of a supernova. It oxidises or rusts when it comes into contact with oxygen, so we rarely see it in its pure form because of it; it is also a brittle and hard substance. Iron items that can be traced back to around 3, BC have been found in Egypt — they contain approximately 7.

Iron was smelt from its ores around 1, BC, which created a stronger metal that offered economic and political power and started the Iron Age. This element was key during the Industrial Revolution, which began soon after, and was vital to the development of machinery, buildings and tools. Iron has many properties that make it incredibly useful in a wide range of industries, from metallurgy to recycling.

The list below is far from comprehensive, but it does provide insight into some of the properties of iron:. Some of the most commonly used iron alloys are:. Iron, in general, was heavily used for tools and weapons in the past; for example, iron ore that contained vanadium was used to create Damascene steel, perfect for sword-making if you want more interesting facts about iron, including its role in medieval weaponry, our Game of Tonnes infographic may be right up your alley!

Nowadays, we tend to use iron to create steel, often used in manufacturing and civil engineering. Uses of iron in daily life include machinery and tools, as well as vehicles, hulls of ships, structural elements for buildings, bridges and aircraft. Some of the best plant-based sources of iron include beans and lentils, tofu, dark chocolate, baked potatoes, cashews, dark leafy vegetables like spinach, and fortified grains.

Be sure to consider components of food and medications that block or reduce iron absorption, including phosphates in carbonated beverages like soda, and tannins in coffee, tea, and some wine. Individuals who are the most at risk of iron deficiency include pregnant women, since increased blood volume requires more iron to drive oxygen to the baby and growing reproductive organs.

Women with heavy menstrual bleeding, frequent blood donors, people with cancer, or those with heart failure, gastrointestinal disorders, and other health issues, should also be more cautious of their iron levels.

To make sure your body has a sufficient level of iron, first discussing the topic with your medical professional is advised.