Iron: A strong pro-oxidant and Key Player in Aging After 50 🔧

Iron is crucial for life, yet its reactivity can be harmful. As we age, iron builds up and is linked to various age-related diseases.

Specifically for women: Iron’s impact on aging past 50 is often overlooked yet significant. Before menopause, women need around 18 milligrams (mg) of iron daily. After menopause, that requirement goes down considerably to about 8 mg of iron a day.

So we can deduct that menopause, is assumed to lead to an increase in iron stores or iron overload, with a direct impact on adrenal function,  causing changes in some stress hormones.

Women can experience increases in insulin resistance and other cardiovascular risk factors. Iron, a strong pro-oxidant, catalyzes reactions that cause increased oxidative stress, a risk factor for insulin resistance. 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3411341/

Facchini FS. Insulin signaling, glucose metabolism oxidative stress, and aging. Advances in Cell Aging and Gerontology. 2003; 14:13–33. 10.1016/S1566-3124(03)14002-3

https://diabetesjournals.org/diabetes/article/52/5/1204/13936/A-Low-Iron-Available-Polyphenol-Enriched