Hemochromatosis is an inherited disorder that causes the body to absorb and store too much iron. It is the most common form of iron overload disease. The extra iron builds up in the organs and can cause organ failure if not treated. The greatest amount of iron is found in red meat and iron fortified bread and cereal. In the body, iron becomes part of hemoglobin which is a molecule in the blood that transports …showed first 75 words of 552 total…

…showed last 75 words of 552 total…disorder should not take iron supplements. Those who have liver damage should not drink alcoholic beverages. <Tab/><Tab/>This disorder affects Caucasians of Northern European descent. About 5 percent in 1,000 of U.S Caucasians population carry two copies of the hemochromatosis gene. One person in 8 to 12 is a carrier of the abnormal gene. This disorder is less common in African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and American Indians.