Question

A 24 year-old man is suffering from iron deficiency. His diet includes rich sources of zinc. Which of the following is a possible explanation for his iron- deficient condition? - O a. The liver is secreting too little hepcidin, so the small intestine is not absorbing iron o Excessive zinc is inhibiting the production of hemoglobin. b. O c. The intestinal cells are trapping and holding excessive iron within their boundaries. O d. Excessive zinc is inhibiting the uptake and absorption of iron in the digestive tract. Ho e. Iron absorption is at its lowest for people between the ages of 20 and 30.

Answer 1

Answer is: d. Excessive zinc is inhibiting the uptake and absorption of iron in the digestive tract.

When zinc and iron are ingested simultaneously in aqueous solutions at levels commonly used in supplements, there is evidence that an excess of iron inhibits zinc absorption and that excess zinc inhibits iron uptake. Zinc and iron interact competitively during intestinal absorption.