Food iron is in the _____ form.

Food iron is in the _____ form.

• A. Ferric
• B. Ferritin
• C. Transferrin
• D. Ferrous

Answer: (A)

The correct answer is that food iron is primarily found in the ferrous form. The ferrous form of iron (Fe2+) is more soluble and bioavailable for absorption in the intestines compared to its ferric counterpart (Fe3+). In the context of dietary sources, iron from plant-based foods (non-heme iron) is often in the ferric form but can be converted to the ferrous form during digestion, which facilitates better absorption. On the other hand, ferritin is a protein complex that stores iron in the body and does not represent the form in which dietary iron is consumed. Transferrin is a glycoprotein that transports iron in the bloodstream, playing a critical role in iron metabolism, but it is not the form of iron found in food. Thus, the dominant form of dietary iron that is efficiently absorbed and utilized by the body is ferrous iron.

The correct answer is that food iron is primarily found in the ferrous form. The ferrous form of iron (Fe2+) is more soluble and bioavailable for absorption in the intestines compared to its ferric counterpart (Fe3+). In the context of dietary sources, iron from plant-based foods (non-heme iron) is often in the ferric form but can be converted to the ferrous form during digestion, which facilitates better absorption.

On the other hand, ferritin is a protein complex that stores iron in the body and does not represent the form in which dietary iron is consumed. Transferrin is a glycoprotein that transports iron in the bloodstream, playing a critical role in iron metabolism, but it is not the form of iron found in food. Thus, the dominant form of dietary iron that is efficiently absorbed and utilized by the body is ferrous iron.