[The One and Only...]

Is 18 mg of iron + whatever I get from my food daily actually healthy?

Fully grown adult males do not need that much iron as they bleed far less than females (menstruation), but then again, I'm a growing youth. I need more iron due to the development of muscle mass.

Even so, so high an intake seems excessive. Over-intake of iron can result in free radical damage due to reactions between unabsorbed iron in the body and peroxides.

However, I do have a high intake of Vitamin C (Over 500% DV +) and Zinc (100% DV +). Both of these nutrients work as antioxidants which prevent free radical damage. Ironically, Vitamin C also increases iron absorbtion mildly... but, hell, I don't have hemachromatosis.

Anyway... can someone inform me on this?