Which statement correctly describes heme iron and its absorption?

Which statement correctly describes heme iron and its absorption?

• A. Found in plant foods and is absorbed more readily.
• B. Affective by vitamin C.
• C. Found in animal foods and is absorbed more readily.
• D. Only absorbed in the presence of calcium.

Answer: (C)

Heme iron from animal foods is absorbed more efficiently than nonheme iron from plants. It comes from hemoglobin and myoglobin in meat, poultry, and fish, and is taken up by enterocytes relatively intact through specialized pathways, so its absorption is generally high and less hindered by common dietary factors. In contrast, nonheme iron (from plants and also the iron added to fortified foods) often requires reduction and conversion to a more soluble form, and its absorption is strongly influenced by enhancers like vitamin C and inhibitors such as phytates and calcium. Vitamin C boosts nonheme iron absorption by reducing ferric to ferrous iron and forming a soluble complex, but it doesn’t have the same effect on heme iron. Therefore, the statement that heme iron is found in animal foods and is absorbed more readily is the best description.

Heme iron from animal foods is absorbed more efficiently than nonheme iron from plants. It comes from hemoglobin and myoglobin in meat, poultry, and fish, and is taken up by enterocytes relatively intact through specialized pathways, so its absorption is generally high and less hindered by common dietary factors. In contrast, nonheme iron (from plants and also the iron added to fortified foods) often requires reduction and conversion to a more soluble form, and its absorption is strongly influenced by enhancers like vitamin C and inhibitors such as phytates and calcium. Vitamin C boosts nonheme iron absorption by reducing ferric to ferrous iron and forming a soluble complex, but it doesn’t have the same effect on heme iron. Therefore, the statement that heme iron is found in animal foods and is absorbed more readily is the best description.