Iron overload in sub-Saharan Africa involves a genetic component.
A new study suggests that the iron overload observed in sub-Saharan Africans may be due to more than elevated iron intake. Genetic analysis indicates that a heritable, but unidentified, trait may account for a substantial portion of the variability in transferrin saturation seen in persons with iron overload. This defect may occur in over 30% of the population and appears to be distinct from the genetic factor controlling hemochromatosis in Caucasian populations.
D000349:Africa; D001515:Beer; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D014168:Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism
D014168:Transferrin; D007501:Iron