While iron is an essential element, not everyone needs to take iron supplements. Iron plays an important part in red blood cell production. Decreased production of red blood cells can lead to iron-deficiency anemia, abnormally low levels of red blood cells that can lead to oxygen deprivation in cells. Both plants and animal sources of nutrition provide iron, but the iron in animal protein, called heme iron, is better absorbed than iron from plants, called non-heme iron. Iron supplementation can actually cause harm in some cases.
Who Needs Iron Supplements?
Breast-fed infants generally need iron supplements after 4 months. Full-term infants are born with enough iron stores to last them through the first few months of life. Bottle-fed infants get extra iron in fortified formula. Premature infants usually need iron supplements shortly after birth, since most iron is stored in the last three months of pregnancy, so their iron stores may be low. Young children who eat poorly may also need iron supplements. Pregnant women usually need iron supplements to supply their needs and those of their baby, especially if they're anemic at the start of pregnancy. Many women of child-bearing years are anemic from blood loss during the menstrual cycle. Most men and post-menopausal women do not need iron supplements.
Iron Absorption
Only a certain percentage of iron, usually between 10 and 15 percent overall, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements, in foods is absorbed. Between 15 and 35 percent of heme iron and between 2 to 20 percent of non-heme iron is absorbed from foods. When iron stores are low, more iron is absorbed from food. Taking iron supplements in divided doses on an empty stomach results in the best absorption. Taking with food containing vitamin C also aids in absorption. Tannins, found in tea, calcium, spinach and proteins found in soybeans can also reduce heme iron absorption. Do not eat these substances for at least one hour before or two hours after taking iron supplements.
Who Shouldn't Take Iron?
People who already have high levels of iron in their blood, called hematochromatosis, should not take iron supplements. High levels of iron in the blood can damage the liver and other organs. People with hepatitis C often have abnormally high levels of iron and should not take iron supplements unless instructed to do so by their physician. Do not give iron supplements to children unless told to do so by their medical practitioner.
Considerations
Eating foods low in nutrients such as refined sugars found in sodas or sweets can decrease iron absorption from other foods. Injectable iron may be given when a person can't tolerate iron by mouth. Do not take over-the-counter iron supplements for more than 6 months at a time without your medical practitioner's approval.
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