Women have a higher risk of developing low iron levels compared with men. Approximately one out of every five women of childbearing age has this condition. (See Ref 1) The early signs of iron deficiency may be so mild that the condition goes...
You may already be aware that iron is a vital mineral that your body needs in regular doses. Iron plays an important role in many biological processes, particularly in the manufacture of hemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen...
A lower than normal amount of any vitamin or mineral in the body--whether caused by dietary deficiencies or digestive problems that interfere with proper nutrient absorption--can result in a number of medical conditions and problems. Insufficient...
You may be trying to eat a healthy diet but not know whether you are getting the nutrients you need. Vitamin B-12 is found in a variety of animal-based products, iron is in meat, beans and leafy green vegetables, and you can get vitamin D from...
Iron is an important mineral that is necessary for a healthy body. Iron helps produce the oxygen-carrying proteins hemoglobin and myoglobin. Persistent low iron levels are more pronounced in menstruating, pregnant or lactating women, vegetarians,...
Iron deficiency anemia is low numbers of red cells in the blood caused by too little iron. Iron intake is needed for the body to be able to produce new red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. Anemia is usually the cause of...
Fatigue is a condition which is characterized by feeling tired and lacking sufficient energy to complete normal everyday tasks. Some of the factors leading to fatigue include allergies and immune reactions to foods, vitamin and nutrient...
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in North America, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Iron is part of every cell in the body and is an active participant in several important body...
If you've been diagnosed with low iron or just seem to lack your usual energy, building mineral levels in your diet can improve your health. Chronic iron deficiency is known as anemia, or low red blood cell count. The body's stores of iron can be...
The best sources of iron are dried beans, liver, beef, poultry, salmon and eggs. Children who have trouble consuming those foods might get their iron from kid-friendly foods, such as fortified cereals, dried fruits and whole grains. Some children...
If you suspect you have low iron, ask your doctor for a blood test. Don't take iron supplements without the approval of your healthcare provider, since excess iron can be toxic. Also, don't discount the possibility of the sleepiness being...
Iron deficiency is the most common worldwide mineral deficiency, as noted by the World Health Organization. Although severe iron deficiency is most prevalent in undeveloped countries, mild to moderate cases are also common in developed countries....
If you're running low on energy, your diet may be to blame. Eating simple carbohydrate food sources such as sugar or white flour products can cause a quick increase in insulin, which may give you a jolt of energy, but end in an energy crash. Also,...
Iron is an essential mineral required for several important biological processes, including protein synthesis and red blood cell formation. Low levels of iron in the body, or iron deficiency, can cause a variety of symptoms, including appetite...
Iron is a vital component of red blood cells that carry oxygen from your lung to the rest of the body. Over time, low levels of iron can lead to iron deficiency anemia. Symptoms of this condition include poor work performance, fatigue, pale skin,...
Having an occasional alcoholic drink or two generally doesn't have an adverse effect on your body, but because your body can metabolize only small amounts of alcohol at a time, the remaining alcohol is left coursing through your body. With chronic...
Children and teenagers experience rapid growth in a short amount of time. Along with regular physical activity, proper nutrition during childhood and adolescence is a key component of health and wellness, not only during youth but also into...
When your blood levels are low, certain negative symptoms begin to creep up and interfere with your life. Iron plays an important role in producing energy from food and keeping oxygen levels in your blood at the proper level. Modifying your diet...
Essential nutrients are important for everyone, but especially for older adults. A healthy and nutritious diet in your later years can reduce your risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease and certain cancers. The essential...
As an adult, your body needs between 8 mg and 18 mg of iron each day to stay healthy, the Office of Dietary Supplements reports. An iron deficiency -- also called iron-deficiency anemia -- may occur due to normal changes in your body, stomach...
Iron helps the body produce enough red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. Therefore, people who are deficient in iron often feel unwarranted fatigue. If iron deficiency is suspected, it is important to ensure that iron-rich foods are...
Iron is required in your diet to transport oxygen to all parts of your body. Iron is especially important for pregnant women and teenage girls. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recommended daily allowance of iron is...
Iron is an essential mineral that your body needs to produce healthy red blood cells. If you have low levels of iron in your body, you might develop iron deficiency anemia. Your doctor will most likely prescribe you iron supplements to treat iron...
Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells, the cells that carry oxygen to the body's tissues. If the hemoglobin level is low, the person is diagnosed with anemia. One of the important components of the hemoglobin protein is iron. If iron...
Full-term babies come into the world with a supply of iron that will last them through the first six months of life. A necessary element throughout life, iron helps make hemoglobin, the part of the red blood cell that carries oxygen. After an...
Ferritin is a protein found inside cells. It binds to iron to hold onto it until the body needs to use it. Measuring the amount of ferritin in a child's blood helps doctors figure out how much iron is being stored in the body. Measuring ferritin...
While it is established that endurance athletes such as long-distance runners are at risk for low iron levels, research on the effects of weight training on iron status is somewhat mixed. Still, strength training is a key component of physical...
On average, women have their periods every 28 days. Some women can have lighter periods, while other women may have heavier periods. The New York University Langone Medical Center notes that about 30 percent of women have heavy periods, though 10...
Anemia is a condition in which your body contains too few healthy red blood cells. The mineral iron is an important building block for red blood cells, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, and low iron is the leading...
