ABSTRACT

Iron is one of the important minerals of our body which is helpful for the development and growth of the body. It is helpful in enhancing the function of the body. Human body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein which carries oxygen from lungs to all other parts of the body and myoglobin which provides oxygen to the muscles. Iron is helpful in fighting with the disease by improving brain function and building up immunity and muscle strength. But everything in excess is harmful. For example when we eat in excess we feel stomach upset or we eat too much of anything it can also result in other diseases. Like that if there is so much iron in our body then it can cause damage to the organs. In this article we are going to discuss how we manage the iron overload disorder with the help of Ayurveda.

INTRODUCTION

Haemochromatosis is the condition in which the body absorbs too much iron than normal. Body generally does not excrete extra iron from the body and it starts continuously to build up. The excess of iron in the body can affect our liver, heart, and the pancreas. Excess iron in the body results in life-threatening conditions such as liver disease or heart problems.

CAUSES

There is many types of iron overload disorder, each with the different causes:

1. Primary Hemochromatosis- It is a genetic mutation which occurs due to the mutation of a gene called HFE. This gene is helpful in controlling the amount of the iron which is absorbed in the body.
2. Secondary Hemochromatosis- Secondary hemochromatosis results from several kinds of anemia like thalassemia, chronic liver disease like chronic hepatitis C or alcohol related liver disease .
3. Juvenile Hemochromatosis- Juvenile hemochromatosis is a hereditary condition which results due to a defect in the gene named as HJV which can lead to diabetes and problems in sexual development.
4. Neonatal Hemochromatosis- Neonatal hemochromatosis can cause accumulation of iron very speedily in the liver which leads to still born baby or baby doesn’t revive for a long time.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The signs and symptoms of iron overload are generally mild, signs don’t appear until the middle age and in females generally after the menopause. Some signs and symptoms are as follows

• Pain in Joint
• Tiredness
• Weight Loss
• Fatigue
• Fatigue
• Pain in abdomen
• Weakness
• Loss of sex drive or libido
• Testicles size may get reduced in males
• Absent or reduced menstruation in females
• Hyper pigmented skin
• Arthritis
• Hypothyroidism
• Pancreatitis

RISK FACTORS

The following are the risk factors hemochromatosis

1. Genetic factors: Two copies of a faulty HFE gene i.e. H for high and FE are for iron is the main risk factor.
2. Family history: A person with a family history of hemochromatosis is more prone.
3. Ethnicity: Caucasian people of Northern European are at higher risk of having the mutation of HFE gene causing development of hemochromatosis. It is less in people of American, African, Asian, Hispanic, and American Indian descent.
4. Gender: Iron overload generally affects both females and males and females, but compared to females males are more prone due to regular loss of blood while menstruating, which reduces iron levels.

COMPLICATIONS

If it is left untreated this will lead to many numbers of complications which affect the organs as well as joints. These includes

• Diabetes:- Iron overload can damage the pancreas which leads to diabetes.
• Heart problem:- Overloaded iron also may affect our heart because it decreases the blood circulation to the body which leads to abnormal heart rhythms and congestive heart failure.
• Liver problem:- Overloaded iron can cause permanent scarring of liver which can cause liver cirrhosis and liver cancer too.
• Reproductive problem:- Iron excess leads to erectile dysfunction in males and absence of menstruation in females.
• Change in skin Color:- The deposition of iron on skin leads to the color of skin to be bronze and gray.

HEMOCHROMATOSIS EFFECT ON ORGAN

Iron plays a very much important role in maintaining the normal function which is helpful in the formation of the blood. But iron in excess is too toxic. Hepcidin is a hormone which is secreted by the liver and this hormone is helpful in maintaining the amount of iron which can be used and how much amount of iron should be absorbed. If there is excess iron stored in organs such as the liver, it can cause damage to the liver even liver failure too.

DIAGNOSIS

It is difficult to diagnose hereditary hemochromatosis, early symptoms may include fatigue or joint stiffness. Many people don’t have any signs and symptoms. Some tests which are included for diagnosis of Iron overload are as follows:

1. Blood tests- It include mainly two tests:
   • Serum transferrin saturation
   • Serum ferritin
2. LFTs (Liver function tests)
3. MRI
4. Testing for the gene mutations
5. Liver Biopsy (Removing a sample of the liver tissues for the testing)

AYURVEDA AND IRON OVERLOAD DISORDER

Iron overload disorder is a very rare type of disorder and there is no particular treatment for this in allopathy. On other hand Planet Ayurveda will provide you with some herbal formulations in the form of a pack named as Iron overload pack which is very effective in these health conditions. The herbal remedies included in this iron overload pack are as follows:

1. Punarnava Capsule
2. Phyllanthus Capsule
3. Navkarshik Churna
4. Indian Echinacea Capsule

PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION

1. Punarnava Capsule

Punarnava capsule is a very useful herbal formulation for heart as well as kidney because it improves the function of heart and kidney. This herbal formulation has a detoxification property that’s why it is highly effective in treating congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease by removing the toxins from the body. These toxins are removed out from the body in the form of urine. It is helpful in balancing the Tridoshas i.e. Vata, Pita, kapha. There is only one ingredient included in this herbal remedy named as Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa).

Dosage:- 1 capsule two times a day after meals with water.

2. Phyllanthus Niruri

This herbal remedy of Planet Ayurveda is very useful in the various disorders of Kidney or Liver. This is useful in protecting the liver cells and also effective in reducing the chances of liver cirrhosis. Phyllanthus has anticancer properties that are why it is useful in treating various kinds of cancer. It also enhances the function of the pancreas that’s why it is useful in treating diabetes.This herbal remedy includes extract of excellent herb named as Bhumiamla (Phyllanthus Niruri).

Dosage:- 1 capsule two times a day after meals with water.

3. Navkarshik Churna

This is the combination of several effective herbs such as Amla (Emblica officinalis), Vacha ( Acorus calamus), Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), Haritaki (Terminalis chebula), Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa), Bahera (Terminalis billerica), Daruhaldi (Berberis aristata), Neem (Azadirachta indica), and Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia). Amla (Emblica officinalis) have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which is helpful in maintaining the proper functioning of the heart as well as detoxification of the liver. Vacha (Acorus calamus) is useful in reducing pain and swelling of joints. Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) is very effective in maintaining blood sugar level and also reduces any complications which are caused by diabetes.Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) is also effective in controlling diabetes by helping in the production of β-cells. Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa) contains an enzyme named Picroliv which is helpful in maintaining the pitta dosha. Bhera (Terminalia bellerica) is helpful in maintaining the three dosha in balance form and also improves the weakness and also promotes cardiac health. Daruhaldi (Berberis aristata) is useful in maintaining the natural color of the skin by maintaining the skin health. Neem (Azadirachta indica) is very effective in getting the toxins out of the body. Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia) has anti-hepatic, antipyretic, anti-microbial, anti-hepatomegaly and anti-splenomegaly properties which are useful in treating diseases of liver or spleen and also act as a blood purifier.

Dosage:- 1 capsule two times in a day with water after meals.

4. Indian Echinacea Capsule

It has antioxidant property which is useful in treating the various types of the chronic disease. It is effective in boosting up the immunity which is helpful in fighting against the various infections. This herbal remedy is helpful in protecting from cancer. The ingredient included in this is Indian Echinacea (Andrographis paniculata).

Dosage:- 1 capsule two times a day after meals with water.

CONCLUSION

Excess of the iron can cause many types of complications, even cancer. According to Allopathic treatment, there is no exact treatment for this and there are so many other side effects also. Herbal remedies of Planet Ayurveda are very effective in treating the iron overload disorder by removing the root cause and don’t cause any side effects as these herbal remedies are 100 percent pure, vegetarian and natural. These are free from any type of additives, colors, chemicals and preservatives.In case of any query kindly visit www.PlanetAyurveda.com