Hemochromatosis

It is a hereditary condition in which dietary iron is not properly metabolized. This results in the accumulation of iron in the body tissues. Over a period of time, the condition can lead to organ failure and diabetes mellitus. The disease is difficult to catch because it is clinically silent and its symptoms can be confused with those of other diseases. Symptoms include stiffness in joints, fatigue and diabetes.

Iron

The importance of iron in human metabolism

Iron is important for human life. It is found in every cell of the human body. Iron is essential to manufacture hemoglobin found in the red blood cells and myoglobin found in muscles. These two are oxygen-carrying proteins. Hemoglobin carries oxygen from the lungs to different parts of the body.

Liver

The liver plays an important role in the digestion and processing of proteins, fat and sugar. The liver helps create some of the building blocks of proteins needed for the body known as amino acids. The liver plays an important role in fat digestion as well as the production of fats needed for the function of different organs of the body. Simple sugars are created in the liver by breaking down both proteins as well as more complex sugars known as glycogen. The liver can also convert simple sugar into glycogen which is better for storage. In this way the liver acts as an energy center for the body. It controls the balance of simple and complex sugar storage and releases sugar stores when needed for energy.