While iron is one of the most abundant minerals in the world, iron deficiency is the number one nutritional disorder in the world, according to the World Health Organization. The condition affects as much as 80 percent of the world population, with another 30 percent of the population having iron-deficiency-related anemia. Talk to a doctor or health care provider if you believe you suffer from an iron deficiency.
Iron
Iron is an element found naturally in the environment and required by humans for nutritional needs. The mineral plays a key role in the body's ability to transport oxygen and cell growth, and those with an iron deficiency have a decreased ability to get oxygen to their cells. Our bodies also use iron to create various enzymes that assist in food digestion and other chemical reactions.
Iron Deficiency
The human body doesn't naturally produce iron, and so we have to obtain the element from our diets. Plants get iron from the environment, and humans get iron from those plants or from animals that eat plants or eat plant-eating animals. People who don't eat enough foods rich in iron can develop an iron deficiency. An iron deficiency can manifest itself in various symptoms, including feelings of tiredness or lethargy, slow cognitive and social development in children as well as difficulty maintaining body temperature.
Anemia
When people experience iron deficiency for a sustained period of time, they can develop iron-deficiency anemia. Anemia is a medical condition in which the body's ability to create new red blood cells is limited. Iron-deficiency anemia is characterized by symptoms such as extreme fatigue, headache, shortness of breath, irritability, rapid heartbeat and unusual cravings for nonfood items, such as dirt, ice or starch, according to MayoClinic.com.
Iron Sources
People with an iron deficiency can reverse the symptoms by increasing the amount of iron in their diet. Iron is naturally present in foods such as chicken liver, oysters, beef chuck, fortified cereals, turkey meat, as well as various kinds of fish and beans. People with iron deficiencies may also take dietary supplements, though you should not do so unless you first consult with a physician.
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