Iron Overload

 A comparable state can also result from taking iron pills for more than 10 years or receiving numerous blood transfusions. Certain people with liver disease may also experience iron overload. Generally there are few, if any, symptoms. And therein lies the danger, for hemochromatosis causes severe depletion of glutathione, an important antioxidant. Antioxidants like glutathione help prevent the LDL from “rusting,” or oxidizing, which makes it stickier and starts the process of plaque formation. Several studies found that iron overload is most damaging to the heart if you also have a high LDL level. It makes sense, since the higher your LDL count is, the more LDL is available to be oxidized, One study found that every 1 percent rise in blood iron increased the risk of heart disease 4 percent.

Researchers suspect high iron levels may also affect cardiovascular risk in other ways, In a 1999 study Japanese researchers found that iron overload raised levels of a chemical that is a marker of oxidation and impaired endothelial function. lron probably affects endothelial function by interfering with nitric oxide production. When researchers lowered the subjects’ iron levels, their endothelial function improved.

The jury is still out on the significance of the iron-heart disease link. A population based study published in 2000 found no association between iron levels above the normal range and deaths from CHD.

What You Can Do

If there is a history of hemochromatosis in your family, you should have regular blood tests for iron overload. A genetic test for hemochromatosis is now available. If you have a high iron condition, don’t take any iron supplements, including multivitamins that contain iron. (Look for a brand that doesn’t contain iron.) Limit the amount of red meat you eat, and avoid drinking alcohol. Too much iron plus alcohol can result in liver disease or make existing liver disease worse.