Iron performs important tasks in the body, particularly involving protein, enzymes and red blood cells. Iron can be obtained through diet, while iron deficiency can be caused by poor diet. This is where iron supplements can come in handy. Taking iron supplements can ensure that you get the proper amount of this important mineral every day.
What Does Iron Do?
Iron is a mineral that your body needs in order to create red blood cells. Iron also produces oxygen-delivering proteins, including protein found in muscles -- myoglobin -- and protein found in red blood cells -- hemoglobin.
What Do the Supplements Do?
If you're not getting enough iron on your own, then you might want to take iron supplements. Iron supplements refill your body's supply of iron. This keeps you healthy and prevents iron deficiency and health issues that can result from iron deficiency.
Why Take Iron Supplements?
You can naturally obtain iron from your diet, although not everyone gets as much iron as they should through what they eat. Taking iron supplements ensures that you're getting enough iron. MayoClinic.com points out that health issues that indicate the need for iron supplements are bleeding problems, hemodialysis, intestinal disease, stomach problems and use of medications to increase your red blood cell count. Pregnant women and infants may need added iron as well.
Iron Supplement Forms
Iron supplements can come in chewable pills, liquid extracts, tablets, capsules and syrup.
Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency or lack of iron is called anemia, as well as iron deficiency anemia or iron shortage. Iron deficiency anemia may result in unusual exhaustion. Physical actions that are more strenuous than normal may be a symptom of iron anemia.
Recommendations
The recommended daily allowance, or RDA, of iron from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is 18 mg for women from the ages of 19 to 50, and 8 mg for women over the age of 50. Men 19 and older should have 8 mg of iron a day. The RDA for pregnant women is 27 mg. Infants up to 6 months of age need only .27 mg, while those 7 to 12 months old should have 11 mg.
Side Effects
Some possible side effects of iron supplements include vertigo, nausea, vomiting, flushing, hives, fever, headache, and pain in the groin, chest or muscles. If you have any of these symptoms from taking iron supplements, you should contact your doctor right away.
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