What is Hemochromatosis?

Hemochromatosis is a disease whereby the human body absorbs too much iron. This causes iron to be stored in the liver and other major organs causing possible disorders and irreversible damage after a long period of time.

Iron is an essential nutrient in the diet and large amount of it can be found in red meat, bread, and cereal. Absorptions of iron in the body would cause it to be transported and be part of hemoglobin which is a molecule in the blood that transports oxygen around the body.

Normal people absorbs about 10 percent of dietary intake while patients who are suffering from Hemochromatosis absorbs more than what the body needs. As iron is mainly a fat soluble nutrient, it will get stored in body tissues such as the liver, heart, and pancreas.

Read on about the causes and symptoms of hemochromatosis