Too much iron in the tissues and organs leads to the production of free radicals and increases the need for vitamin E.
Acute high doses of iron can damage the intestinal mucosa and cause systemic shock and death. Continuous exposure to lower amounts may interfere with the metabolism of copper and zinc
Extremely high doses of iron (in the hundreds or thousands of mg) can cause organ failure, coma, convulsions, and death. High levels of iron have also been found in association with heart disease and cancer.
The buildup or iron in the tissues has been associated with a rare disease known as hemochromatosis, a hereditary disorder of iron metabolism that is found mostly in men and that causes excessive absorption of iron from both foods and supplements, leading to bronze skin pigmentation, arthritis, cirrhosis of the over, diabetes and heart disorders. People with this disorder should avoid using iron supplements and vitamin C supplements.
Problems with high iron intake
