Iron plays an important role for the nutrition of each person. If adolescents consume iron well then this will have positive impact for future brain health.
Now
researchers from UCLA have found too little iron is consumed not only
cause cognitive problems, but also affects the physical structure of the
brain.
In
this study neurologist at UCLA, Professor Paul Thompson and colleagues
measured levels of transferrin, a protein that transports iron through
the body and brain. Researchers found levels of transferrin is related to the size of the macro and micro structure of the brain.
The
research team found that subjects had elevated levels of transferrin is
a common sign of low iron levels zar structural changes in brain
regions susceptible to neurodegeneration.
The researchers also identified a set of genes that influence the levels of transferrin and brain structure. The
findings are reported in the journal Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences describes the mechanism of iron nerves which affect
cognition, neural development and neurodegeneration.
"We
found that healthy brains as adults depending on the iron that is owned
or consumed in the teen years," said Prof. Thompson, as quoted from
MedicalnewsToday, Tuesday (24/01/2012).
Prof.
Thompson said that there are connections in the brain is much more
robust than expected, mainly seen in people who are young and healthy
and not iron deficiency as a teenager.
"You
do not think iron will affect the brain so large, because iron is
essential in making myelin. Poor iron levels in adolescence will erode
the reserves of the brain in later life," says Prof. Thompson.
Food sources that contain iron are red meat, cereals, dried fruit, bread and green leafy vegetables. While
the non-meat intake of other nutrients needed to enhance the absorption
of food rich in vitamin C (citrus, blackcurrant and green leafy
vegetables), while the substance tannins in tea can reduce iron
absorption.