The Bureau of Food and Drugs covers the regulation of food, drug and cosmetic products. When I was still working at the Bureau a long long time ago, I remember this one of a kind story. From this tale one could tell if a personnel is working in the food, drug or cosmetic section of the agency.
One HR personnel visited the agency’s Product Services Division. This person looked very sick and pale. Her skin is as translucent as a frosted glass window.
Product evaluator No.1 approached her and said, “Hey! Demi, you look so pale. You might have iron deficiency anemia. Why don’t you see your physician. He might advise you to take Iron.
Product evaluator No.2 butted in. ” Hey! Dems, why don’t you take food rich in Iron instead. Perhaps you could try amplaya (Scientific name: Momordica charantia);( (Ingles: balsam apple, bitter gourd o bitter melon). Or try cooking liver, seafood, fish, lean meat, and poultry. These food are rich in Iron. Or you could take Iron enriched or fortified food products.
Product evaluator No.3 came in. “Hello Dems. Try putting on some lipstick meanwhile so you won’t look that pale. Your appearance would improve.
So there goes the story. Who is working in what section of the agency? Your guess is as good as mine.
Some notes of information though.
Iron, functions primarily as a carrier of oxygen in the body. This the mineral is necessary for the formation and function of red blood cells. In tiny amounts, the mineral is also necessary for the chemical functioning of many of the bodies’ cells. It also aids in immune function, cognitive development, temperature regulation, energy metabolism, and work performance. About 90% of the iron in our body is conserved and reused every day; the rest is excreted. Men are able to naturally store more iron than women. In order to maintain iron balance in the body for both men and women, dietary iron must supply enough iron to meet the 10% gap that our body has excreted or else deficiency will result.
Iron in the drug form is usually prescribed as ferrous sulfate capsule, caplet or tablet. As there may be interaction with other drugs or food products, Iron should not be taken unless advised by a physician.
Eating a variety of foods that contain iron is the best way to get an adequate amount. Healthy individuals who eat a balanced diet rarely need supplements. For vegetarians or vegans, it is important to consume sufficient amounts of moderately-rich iron foods, such as beans, legumes, and fortified breads, cereals, and flours. Soy products are typically good sources of iron as well.
