Men tend to have more iron in their bodies than women. Iron is useful for proper cell function but too much iron can increase the incidence of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. A higher level of iron in men may be a factor in why men are more likely to develop these afflictions at a younger age than women.
A new study by researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles has found that women who have had a hysterectomy prior to menopause have higher levels of iron in their brain than other women. The researchers suggest that menstruation-associated blood loss in women who have not had a hysterectomy reduces the build-up of iron that can cause neurodegenerative disorders later in life. The study found that women who had a hysterectomy tended to have iron levels on par with men.
The study, published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging, recommends that men, and women who have had a hysterectomy, reduce their consumption of red meat and limit their use of supplements that contain iron, unless their doctor recommends that they take such supplements. Donating blood and drinking green tea can also help to reduce iron levels.