Action Of Iron Supplements

Iron, an essential mineral that is required in the diet or via supplementation to support human life, is available in two forms. Nonheme iron, found in plant foods, is not easily absorbed. Heme iron, which comes from animal foods such as liver, organ meats, red meat, poultry and fish, is readily absorbed. Although iron is responsible for numerous health benefits, too much iron can be dangerous. Take iron supplements only under the supervision of a health-care practitioner.

Iron and Your Body

Iron supports a healthy immune system and is required for growth. This mineral is required for the production of healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen to every cell in your body. Iron plays a role in the production of adenosine triphosphate, an essential substance that supplies your body with energy.

Treatment of Anemia

A deficiency of iron, known as iron deficiency anemia, can be caused by an inadequate intake of iron-rich foods, an inability to properly absorb the mineral, periods of rapid growth, certain chronic illnesses or substantial blood loss. Anemia is a common condition, especially in pregnant women, women with heavy menstrual flows, children and vegetarians. Anemia can be mild, medium or severe; the most obvious symptoms are fatigue and weakness. Other possible symptoms are brittle hair, digestive disturbances, dizziness, fragile bones, hair loss, inflammation of mouth tissues, spoon-shaped nails with lengthwise ridges, nervousness, slowed mental reactions and pallor in skin tone. The most important benefit of iron supplementation is for treatment of anemia.

Additional Supplement Uses

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, iron supplements may help to enhance sports performance, especially in individuals with a preexisting deficiency. Medline Plus states that iron supplements may help to prevent and treat canker sores and treat depression, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, Crohn's disease and an inability to conceive. Iron may be beneficial for learning problems, helping to improve thinking, learning and memory, and may treat attention-deficit disorder in children who have low iron stores. A study in the December 2009 issue of "The New England Journal of Medicine" found that iron delivered intravenously helped to reduce symptoms, increase functional capacity and enhance quality of life in chronic heart-failure patients.

Precautions

Iron supplements may interact negatively with certain medications and can cause unpleasant side effects, such as stomach upset and pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Taking iron supplements with food helps to reduce some side effects, but food also reduces your body's ability to absorb iron. Medline Plus recommends that, for maximum effectiveness, you should take iron on an empty stomach, if you can tolerate it, and avoid combining it with dairy, coffee, tea or cereals. High doses of iron are toxic and can be fatal. Too much iron may cause free-radical-induced damage in your body, so only supplement with iron if you have been diagnosed with a deficiency.