forms over millions of years in the pore spaces of sedimentary rocks from remains of ocean-dwelling phytoplankton; over time it migrates upward toward the highest point in the porous rock because it is less dense than the rock.
Hereditary hemochromatosis (hee-muh-kro-muh-TOE-sus) is a genetic disease that causes the body to absorb and store too much iron. Iron is an important nutrient that our bodies get from food.
Hemochromatosis is one of the most common genetic disorders in the United States. It is an inherited condition in which the body absorbs and stores too much iron. The extra iron builds up in several organs, especially the liver, and can cause serious damage. Without treatment, the disease can cause these organs to fail.