Iron and Your Health
Are you always feeling cold, tired and out of breath? If yes, then you’re lacking iron. Iron deficiency can seriously undermine your health, causing poor physical performance and attention span, while increasing susceptibility to infections. As iron level is low, so is the immune system. Therefore, iron deficiency can deteriorate one’s health.
Your body needs small amount of iron for good health. Iron deficiency is very common nowadays in human health and has almost become a widespread nutritional disorder that contributes to nearly 50% of the anemia globally.
Are you always feeling cold, tired and out of breath? If yes, then you’re lacking iron. Iron deficiency can seriously undermine your health, causing poor physical performance and attention span, while increasing susceptibility to infections. Lack of iron may be a culprit for certain diseases, as iron keeps the immune system operating at peak efficiency. As iron level is low, so is the immune system. Therefore, iron deficiency can deteriorate one’s health.
A recent study shows that early iron deficiency can cause irreparable damage to brain cells. Meanwhile, infants, adolescents, children, and women of childbearing age, particularly pregnant moms are identified as those at a higher risk of iron deficiency.
As you’ve already known, the essential part that makes up hemogloblin, the red pigment in red blood cells is iron. Hence, iron plays a major role to enable hemoglobin carries oxygen from the lungs to the cells to produce energy during the bodily metabolism. If the present of iron in the red blood cells is too low, the amount of red blood cells and hemoglobin as well will be reduced accordingly. When this situation happens, you’ll experience a medical condition called anemia. That’s why you feel run-down and extremely tired during which your body’s tissues are being starved of oxygen.
How Much Iron Do You Need?
During a rapid growth period, such as during childhood, adolescence and pregnancy, you need an increased intake of iron. These are the moments when new tissues are being built for a healthy growth. Similarly, teenage females and women need more iron than males since they loss more iron during menstruation. Clearly, the iron that is stored in the body is greatly depleted because of menstrual losses. Athletes as well, may also need an increased need for iron to boost their optimum health for a better physical performance.
In general, the following daily iron intake is recommended:
1-3 years: 7mg/day (male); 7mg/day (female)
4-8 years: 10mg/day (male); 10mg/day (female)
9-13 years: 8mg/day (male); 8mg/day (female)
14-18 years: 11mg/day (male); 15mg/day (female)
19-50 years: 8mg/day (male); 18mg/day (female)
> 51 years: 8mg/day (male); 8mg/day (female)
Lactating/pregnant: N/A (male); 27mg/day (female)
Liked it
thestickman | Mar 11, 2010 | Reply
You described my wife’s apparent symptoms perfectly, -and yes she is often iron-deficient or just on the cusp of an iron deficiency. Whenever she realizes that she is tired too often, breathless too often, etc etc she sees her doctor and it is confirmed that she has once again, slipped below minimal iron intake.
Too bad I can’t get her to eat calves liver …I love fried liver w/ onions
papaleng | Mar 11, 2010 | Reply
another well-researched article.
David De Jesus | Mar 11, 2010 | Reply
Informative Post Chan,
You gave me some valued information that I can REALLY use. Thanks again.
Jamie Myles | Mar 11, 2010 | Reply
Very informative article. Well researched and presented.
Sourav | Mar 11, 2010 | Reply
Very well written. I liked it a very much. Always good to read something on health.
PR Mace | Mar 11, 2010 | Reply
The amount of time you spend to research your articles shows in this informative well done piece. You have given helpful informative in an easy to understand form. Good job, my friend.
Joe Dorish | Mar 11, 2010 | Reply
Very important for women. My sister gets iron deficient at times if she does not watch her diet.
giftarist | Mar 11, 2010 | Reply
Very informative article. Great work!
Hugo La Rosa | Mar 11, 2010 | Reply
Thank you for the information. It’s and excellent article on a very important topic. Nowadays many people feel anxious, restless, tired, just as you said.
Sincerely,
Hugo
Goodselfme | Mar 11, 2010 | Reply
Always a great presentation with some good value for me to read. Thank you I liked it a lot. My daughter was just DX with iron deficiency.
Jenny Heart | Mar 11, 2010 | Reply
Great information here! My daughter had to take extra iron once due to her tonsils hemorraging.
Jenny Heart | Mar 11, 2010 | Reply
Very informative!
Eunice Tan | Mar 11, 2010 | Reply
Very helpful and informative article. Thanks
Judy Sheldon | Mar 11, 2010 | Reply
Chan, the time you spend researching and presenting the facts make it obvious that you care. Thanks for a well presented comprehensive article on iron anemia.
sambhafusia | Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
nice share
deep blue | Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
A timely post my friend, I seem to be having the symptoms of deficiency that you indicated. I must be lacking Iron or the like.
Cheers,
Will
CA Johnson | Mar 13, 2010 | Reply
This was quite an eye opener. I didn’t realize just how important iron is to our health. I don’t think I get enough iron, but I will definitely start now that I know about the risks of not having it in your diet. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
BC Doan | Mar 15, 2010 | Reply
Great article, Chan! I take iron supplement daily, and it shows very beneficial..
clay hurtubise | Mar 15, 2010 | Reply
Another well done piece.
How about one on iron toxicity?
Thanks,
Clay
monica55 | Mar 19, 2010 | Reply
Excellent pointers and very useful information. Thanks for sharing.
Monica.,
Niti sharma | Mar 23, 2010 | Reply
Iron is an important mineral for body functions. Very informative
T. S. GARP | Apr 3, 2010 | Reply
Great information! Thanks for sharing.
valli | Jul 14, 2010 | Reply
This article helped me a lot in learning information about iron.