Iron is a fundamental mineral that is essential to the proper functioning of the body. When the body is deficient in iron, it can lead to anemia, a condition where the body has a low red blood cell count. Dr. Travis Nemkov, an assistant research professor in biochemistry and molecular genetics at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, explains that iron is critical for the body to produce hemoglobin, which is the protein in red blood cells that uses iron to transport oxygen throughout the body.
Iron deficiency anemia can cause a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, weakness, pale or yellow skin, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain, headache after activity, dizziness, cold hands and feet, inflammation or soreness of the tongue, brittle nails, and unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances, such as ice, dirt, or starch. Nemkov emphasizes that red blood cells do more than simply transport oxygen, and some of the symptoms associated with anemia may be because of disruptions in other bodily functions like ion homeostasis, vascular tone, detoxification, and immune system modulation.
The amount of iron needed per day depends on several factors, such as gender and age. Men aged 19 and over need 8.7mg per day, while women aged 19 to 49 need 14.8mg per day. Women aged 50 and over need 8.7mg per day. Iron can be found in many foods, including fortified cereals, red meat, poultry, fish, oysters, kidney/red beans and lentils and chickpeas, tomatoes, tofu, spinach, dark leafy greens, potatoes, cashews, and dark chocolate.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with iron deficiency anemia, it is important to reach out to your doctor. An iron deficiency can lead to a wide variety of unpleasant symptoms and can sometimes be a result of another medical condition like blood loss or a problem with the absorption of nutrients. In some cases, where a doctor has detected a deficiency, iron supplementation either as an oral supplement or IV treatment may be necessary. It is important to maintain a balanced diet to ensure that your body has all the necessary nutrients to function properly.