When you have low iron levels, life is a challenge. Feeling tired and weak, being unable to think clearly and getting sick easily are symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia. Iron supplements can be a lifeline when you can't get the iron you need from food sources alone. However, proper consumption of iron supplements is essential to receive the benefits they provide.
Iron-deficiency anemia is a serious condition that needs to be addressed by a qualified health practitioner. This article is informational only and is not meant to replace medical advice.
Function
Iron is a key component of many of the proteins and enzymes necessary for your body to function properly. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, about two-thirds of the body's iron is in hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Iron is also a component of myoglobin, a protein that specifically supplies oxygen to muscle, and in enzymes that facilitate biochemical reactions. Without enough iron, your body will not get the correct amount of oxygen it needs.
Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency is the top nutritional deficiency in the world, says the ODS. It tends to develop gradually, when your body fails to get the amount of iron it needs through diet and stored iron. Iron-deficiency anemia is an advanced stage of iron depletion, after your body's normal stores of iron have run out. According to MedlinePlus, the main causes of iron deficiency are blood loss, poor absorption of iron in the body and/or too little iron in the diet. This may be a result of a number of different conditions ranging from a peptic ulcer to heavy menstrual bleeding, or gastrointestinal disorders like Crohn's disease or cancer. Finding the cause of the deficiency is even more important than the treatment itself, advises the National Anemia Action Council.
Treatment
In order to treat iron deficiency, you must increase your iron intake. Dietary iron comes from two sources: heme and non-heme. Heme iron exists in hemoglobin and is more readily available to the body than non-heme iron. Animal foods, like red meat, fish and poultry, contain heme iron. Iron-fortified foods and plant foods, such as lentils, beans, dried fruit and leafy greens, are rich in non-heme iron. When diet alone is not enough, iron supplements play a valuable role in boosting your iron stores. The ODS advises that ferrous iron salts, including ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate and ferrous sulfate, are the best-absorbed forms of iron supplements.
Supplementation
How and what you take with iron supplements can greatly influence their absorption. Because your body absorbs less iron as the doses get larger, the National Anemia Action Council advises taking your prescribed iron supplement equally spaced out, in two to three doses during the day. Taking your iron supplements on an empty stomach helps with absorption too, although this can be a challenge for some because of potential side effects like constipation. Ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, also enhances absorption and can counteract the effects of some foods and drugs that may hinder absorption. These include caffeinated beverages like tea, calcium-rich foods and supplements, and antacids.
Side Effects
Oral iron supplements can wreak havoc on the digestive tract -- the main reason for poor compliance, says the National Anemia Action Council. To minimize side effects like nausea, constipation, diarrhea or abdominal stress, begin with half the prescribed dose and gradually increase to the full amount. Take the supplement in divided doses during the day. Increase your intake of fiber-rich foods or try a stool softener to help relieve constipation. Or talk to your health care provider about using a different type of iron supplement.
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