Iron Needs Aren’t One-Size-Fits-All: Your Ethnicity Affects Your Iron Levels

New research highlights the need for genetically informed nutrition guidelines.

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While daily nutrient recommendations are designed to serve as a general guide for most people, they don’t account for genetic differences.

Iron, an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in many bodily functions, is one example. New research indicates that East Asians absorb and store more iron than those with other ancestries, increasing their risk of iron overload and chronic diseases such as diabetes, liver disease, and heart failure.

How Genetics and Ethnicity Play a Role

We need iron, but the right amount is key. Too little, and you’re deficient—too much, and it’s toxic.