Iron is necessary for life as it is essential to transfer oxygen into your tissues. Hemoglobin, the protein in your red blood cells that contains iron at its core, reversibly binds to oxygen and supplies your tissues with it. Without proper oxygenation, your cells quickly start dying. Iron is also a key component of various proteins and enzymes, and is involved in energy production, immune function, metabolism, and endocrine function. For these reasons, low iron (anemia) can cause significant health problems. However, what many don’t realize is that excess iron is actually more common than too little, and iron overload can be even more problematic. Because your body has a limited capacity to excrete iron, it can easily build up in organs such as your liver, heart, and pancreas. This is dangerous because iron is a potent oxidizer that can damage your tissues and contribute to a variety of health …