Iron is one of the most abundant minerals on the planet, and one that is required by most living organisms. The importance of iron in your body is hard to overstate, since it is present in every red blood cell carrying oxygen through your bloodstream. It is also required for your body's production of usable energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate, or ATP. Though you only need tiny, trace amounts of iron, it is still essential that you get enough of it every day, either through food or in the form of iron supplements.
Iron Supplements and Anemia
If your body goes long enough without sufficient iron, your reserves of the mineral get depleted, and this can develop into iron deficiency anemia. This condition has varied causes, such as chronic illness, significant blood loss, nutrient absorption disorders, and periods of rapid physical growth. Symptoms include fatigue, upset stomach, dizziness, weakness, hair loss, nervousness and spoon-shaped nails. Treatment of iron anemia constitutes the primary use for iron supplements, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains. If you have anemia, your doctor will probably prescribe a daily program of iron supplementation.
Individuals Who May Need Iron Supplements
Normally, if you're eating a healthy and balanced diet, you're already getting enough iron to meet your body's daily requirements. However, there are individuals who may need to take iron supplements, the Office of Dietary Supplements notes. They include people who have iron absorption problems, such as patients with Crohn's disease or gastrointestinal disorders; those with increased iron requirements, such as pregnant women, teenage girls, vegetarians and infants; and those with poor iron retention, such as renal failure patients undergoing dialysis.
Additional Benefits of Iron Supplements
Iron supplementation may have other benefits, as MedlinePlus notes. These include aiding with learning problem in children with low levels of iron, especially in the areas of thinking and memory; improving symptoms of heart failure; improvements in sports performance for athletes with slightly lowered levels of iron; and improving children's symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.
Take note, however, that people who are not at risk for iron deficiency are not advised to take supplements. Overdosing on iron may result in damage to the liver, kidney, or internal tissues. Always consult a doctor before starting any form of nutrient supplementation.
Recommended Daily Amount
The amount of iron that you need daily depends on your gender and age, the Department of Sports Medicine at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reports. Male adolescents between 14 to 18 years of age need 11 mg of iron per day, while females in the same group need 15 mg daily. Male adults between 19 to 50 years should get 8 mg per day; adult females, meanwhile, should take at least 18 mg. Those on a full vegetarian diet, however, need more: 26 mg per day for female adolescents, 14 mg per day for adult men and postmenopausal women, and 33 mg per day for premenopausal women.
References
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Optimizing Your Diet: Best Foods for Specific Minerals; May 2007
- Mayo Clinic; Iron Supplement (Oral Route, Parenteral Route); February 2011
- MedlinePlus; Iron; January 2011
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Iron
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Iron; June 2009
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