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A new study links iron buildup in the lung cells to severe asthma.
Iron is an important mineral for the flow of oxygen in the human body. At the same time, however, it also allows disease-causing organisms to survive in the body. To prevent these harmful organisms from consuming iron, human cells naturally absorb the mineral. Iron buildup happens when cells absorb too much iron.
For the study, scientists investigated whether increased iron levels in the lung cells aggravate asthma, a condition that causes the airways of the lungs to swell and leads to difficulty breathing.
The scientists collected cell samples from asthma patients and healthy individuals through a number of different ways. One of the procedures involved taking lung tissue samples from all participants and examining them under a microscope. Another method involved applying a salt solution to a certain part of the lung through a thin tube that was inserted into the nose or mouth. The solution was then taken back out of the lung, and the scientists were able to take cell samples from it.
Results showed that participants with asthma had higher levels of iron in their lung cells than those without asthma.
According to the researchers, their findings could pave the way for new asthma treatments that target unusual iron buildup in the lung cells. However, they believe more research is needed to understand why the lung cells of people with asthma absorb too much iron.
According to one scientist who was not involved in the study, people with asthma do not need to avoid iron-rich foods. Instead, they should maintain a balanced diet that includes the recommended amount of iron.