What Is Iron?

Iron is mineral that can be found in plants, animals, soil, air, water, meteorites, and rocks, including ones found on the surface of the moon. Here on earth, plants absorb iron through their root systems; animals eat these plants. Humans consume these plants and animals.

Many think iron is a heavy metal, which it is not. Iron is a metal; in fact, people with too much iron in their bodies can set off metal detectors. But iron is also an essential micronutrient. Essential used in this way means that the body does not produce the nutrient; it has to be gotten from food. Micronutrient means that the body only requires tiny amounts to function normally. The chart shows the atomic weights of metals.

Too little iron or too much iron changes the way we grow, develop and function.