Reducing agents increase the bioavailability of nonheme iron by _____
A)storing iron in the enterocyte until the body needs more iron
B)binding ferrous iron to ferric iron
C)making possible the transport of nonheme iron across intestinal membranes
D)preventing hemochromatosis

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Reducing agents such as Vitamin C, citric acid, and lactic acid facilitate the reduction of ferric iron to ferrous iron, which is more easily absorbed by the intestinal cells. This process increases the bioavailability of nonheme iron by making possible the transport of nonheme iron across intestinal membranes. Storing iron in the enterocyte until the body needs more iron (A) is a function of the protein ferritin, not reducing agents. Binding ferrous iron to ferric iron (B) is not a function of reducing agents, but rather of oxidizing agents. Preventing hemochromatosis (D) is not a direct function of reducing agents, but rather a condition caused by excess iron accumulation in the body.

Reducing Agents Increase the Bioavailability of Nonheme Iron by _____