The body absorbs only a small percentage of iron from foods and supplements. A variety of factors can hinder the absorption of iron, increasing your risk for iron deficiency anemia. People who cannot absorb iron efficiently from foods may need to take iron supplements to prevent a deficiency.
Absorption Basics
Healthy adults absorb only 15 to 35 percent of heme iron from animal products, and only 2 to 20 percent of nonheme iron from plant-based foods, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. While food components do not significantly affect heme iron absorption, they can interfere with nonheme iron absorption. Foods that hinder nonheme iron absorption include calcium, dairy products, phytates in legumes and whole grains, polyphenols, soy proteins and tannins in tea. Vitamin C can boost nonheme iron absorption.
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Gastrointestinal disorders such as celiac disease and Crohn's disease can interfere with iron absorption in the small intestines, causing iron depletion and an increased risk of iron deficiency anemia. These conditions may also cause chronic malabsorption of other nutrients, such as vitamin B-12. Individuals with gastrointestinal malabsorption may need iron supplements to prevent iron deficiency anemia.
Infants
Infants absorb iron from human breast milk very efficiently, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Infants can absorb more than 50 percent of the iron in breast milk, but they absorb less than 12 percent from milk formula. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends feeding infants exclusively with breast milk for the first six months of life.
Other Iron Deficiency Causes
Iron losses, increased iron needs or inadequate iron intake can also contribute to iron deficiency. Teenage girls and women of childbearing age lose iron during menstruation. Pregnant women, infants, distance runners and female athletes have increased iron needs, and vegetarians and vegans who consume little or no animal-based foods may not get enough iron in their diets. People with renal failure also have a higher risk of iron deficiency.
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