Iron is an important mineral because it helps your body produce energy and red blood cells, as well as helping blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Your body stores excess iron in your liver, spleen, muscles and bone marrow.
Iron Supplements
Iron is available as a supplement and it's also found in most multivitamin blends. The amount of iron your body needs will depend upon your age and gender. All infants need around 11 mg per day while their bones are growing and hardening. Toddlers ages 1 through 3 need 7 mg per day, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, and older children up to age 8 need 10 mg daily. Children ranging from 9 to 13 need 8 mg per day; after the age of 13, your iron needs start becoming sex and age dependent. Teenage boys up to age 18 need 11 mg per day, while girls of the same age group need 15 mg. Women need more iron during childbearing years. Adult men only need 8 mg of iron each day, and women need 18 mg.
When You Should Take Supplements
You should take supplements, only under physician care, if your diet lacks foods rich in iron or if you have developed an iron deficiency. Iron supplements are to be used as an aid if you miss the recommended daily allowance and they're also used to help cure anemia, or iron deficiency. Since your body can store iron, only take iron supplements under the care and supervision of a licensed medical professional. Women may be at a slightly higher risk of developing anemia due to blood loss during menstruation. Any person having surgery, bleeding ulcers or other conditions may have a need for iron supplements.
Side Effects
Iron can build up in your body over time, so it is possible to develop toxic levels of iron in your system when taking iron supplements. Normally, your body will take iron from the reserves that your body has and use it as needed, but if your body begins to receive and store large doses of iron, you can experience side effects. Side effects include nausea, constipation, heartburn, upset stomach, diarrhea and abdominal discomfort.
Considerations
If your diet lacks iron, include more foods that are rich in iron rather than taking supplements. It's always better, when possible, to obtain nutrients from foods rather than supplements. Poultry, fish, lean red meat and organ meat are all iron-rich food sources. If you're worried that you may be becoming anemic, ask your health care provider to test your iron levels. Symptoms of anemia include constant fatigue, due to inadequate amounts of oxygen being delivered to organs and tissues, and weakness, dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, tingling or cold hands and feet, pale skin and irregular heartbeat.
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