Iron Deficiency Symptoms

A Closer Look At Iron Deficiency Symptoms

Although iron deficiency symptoms do not always indicate a serious condition, the possibility always exists, and it can be to your advantage to know something about iron deficiency should you experience any of these symptoms. We'll take a look at why the body needs iron, how much it needs, what can lead to an iron deficiency, as well as touching on the symptoms, treatment, and means of prevention.

Iron is one of the elements essential to life. It is used in many cell functions, and being a major constituent of hemoglobin, plays a significant role in carrying oxygen from the lungs for use throughout the body. If we have insufficient iron in our system, many bodily functions are impacted. The most prevalent of the iron deficiency symptoms we are apt to experience is fatigue and a general condition of anemia. While we can eat foods that are rich in iron, and we should, we also need to eat foods containing Vitamin C, which helps the body absorb iron. Other foods can inhibit the absorption of iron, but when one eats a well-balanced diet this is normally not of any concern. Junk foods for example, which contain fewer nutrients, but are high in calories, generally tend to inhibit the absorption of iron. So stick to meats, veggies, and fruits, and keep the intake of chips and sugar laden drinks to a minimum.

How Much Iron Should I Have? - You can generally avoid iron deficiency symptoms by taking in the recommended daily requirement for iron. This varies somewhat with age and gender. Babies, who receive their initial supply of iron from their mothers, are born with a 6 month supply of iron, plus they will get additional iron from breast feeding. When an infant reaches 6 months the recommended allowance of iron is between 7 and 11 milligrams per day (mg/day), until the age of 8. This is normally provided, first through baby formula, and later through baby foods, and eventually regular food. Males generally have a lower requirement for iron than do females. Males need 11 mg/day during their growth or teen years, and 8 mg/day for the rest of their lives. For females, the requirement is 15 mg/day during their teens, and 18 mg/day thereafter until around age 50, when the requirement for iron drops by half. Pregnant women need the most iron (to feed two), 27 mg/day. Pregnant women therefore as a group are most at risk for experiencing iron deficiency symptoms.

What Are Some Good Sources Of Iron? - Clams are among the riches sources of iron you can find, and will supply you with all the iron you need if you eat them every day. Most people don't do that of course, but if you like clams, keep that in mind. The next best source of iron is usually fortified cereals. The amount will vary with the product of course, but you can always check the label to see if the cereal you like best will do the trick. Oysters, shrimp, and most meats, especially liver, also are excellent sources of iron. Popeye made spinach famous as a source of iron and energy, and spinach is indeed a good source, as are many vegetables. One problem is, while vegetables, including spinach, are good sources, we don't absorb iron very efficiently from vegetables. The iron in meats, fish and poultry is absorbed much more efficiently.  To remedy this situation, eat foods containing Vitamin C or take a Vitamin C supplement with your vegetables. Vitamin C does a great job of helping the body absorb iron. Oranges, strawberries, orange juice and grapefruit juice are excellent sources of Vitamin C. A cautionary note: Grapefruit juice can sometimes counter the effects of certain medications, and may not be advisable as a part of your diet if you are taking medications. If you have to spend time in a hospital and ask for grapefruit juice with your breakfast, you probably won't be allowed to have any for that reason.

And, If I Don't Get Enough? - We've noted the importance of iron to the basic functions in our body. While not usually serious, iron deficiency is the leading cause of anemia. People with iron deficiency symptoms will often feel tired or weak and their work performance often suffers, even if that work does not involve much in the way of physical activity. In more extreme cases, mental facility many be impaired, including memory and decision making or judgment making capabilities. Where iron deficiency can be quite serious, is when it affects pregnant women, and by extension, the unborn baby. A baby born with an iron deficiency may exhibit difficulties or slowness in developing motor skills, become sickly, or more susceptible to health problems. Adults for that matter, who have iron deficiency symptoms may suffer from a general weakness of the immune system. (continued...)