Explain Mechanism of Absorption of Haem Iron?
Haem iron is soluble in the alkaline environment of the intestine. It binds to the receptor on the enterocytes and is internalized. After entering the mucosal cell, haem is degraded to iron, carbon monoxide and bilirubin IXa by the enzyme haemeoxygenase. The liberated iron is then treated in the same manner as is the non-haem iron. We have read in the previous units that whatever may be the quantity of a particular nutrient that we may consume, the entire amount may not get digested and absorbed (bioavailable) due to varied reasons.