TF and ischemic stroke: During cerebral ischemia, the integrity of the BBB is impaired and free iron from circulation enters the brain.720 Cerebral ischemia also increases levels of circulating iron-carrying transferrin in ischemic brain tissue, enhancing ROS induced neuronal death.721 A comprehensive nutrition study found that iron intake increased ischemic stroke mortality in Japanese men,722 and higher serum ferritin levels were linked to a higher risk of ischemic stroke in type 2 diabetes patients and postmenopausal women,723,724 suggesting that peripheral iron accumulation is a risk factor for ischemic stroke.