“Steady State” – a delicately balanced equilibrium

Iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency in humans worldwide and by far the most common cause of anemia. On the other hand, iron is toxic in its free ionic form, and iron overload (e.g., hemochromatosis) can lead to life-threatening organ damage. In healthy individuals, the absorption, transport, and storage of iron are precisely regulated to prevent both cellular iron deficiency and systemic iron overload.