The influence of diet on iron absorption; the pathology of iron excess.

Rats placed on a corn grit diet and added iron absorbed large amounts of iron in contrast to control groups. The histological picture was that of progressive hemosiderosis of the hepatic parenchyma and of the reticuloendothelial system. On chemical analysis, the iron content of the liver was found to be greatly increased. This supports the concept that the liver represents the chief storage organ for iron so absorbed. These data indicate that a normal block for iron absorption may be overcome under certain circumstances.