Iron deficiency
Iron plays a major role in the formation of red blood cells. Each cell in the body contains a certain amount of iron, but most iron is found in the red blood cells responsible for transferring oxygen from the lungs to all organs of the body. Production of energy and transmission of nerve signals within the body. Poor iron intake leads to anemia, which is a decrease in the levels of red blood cells, so these cells will not be able to efficiently distribute oxygen to the rest of the cells and tissues in the body. Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include:
- Fatigue.
- Weakness.
- Rotor.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- hard breathing.
- Low physical performance.
- Learning problems in children and adults.
- Gastrointestinal disorders.
- Poor ability to regulate body temperature.
Benefits of iron pills
Iron pills help restore normal levels of iron in the body, so doctors prescribe it for patients with anemia. Adequate amounts of iron must be obtained for the importance of this element to the body for more than one reason.
Healthy pregnancy
Blood volume increases as red blood cells are increased dramatically during pregnancy to provide oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, thus increasing the body’s need for iron. Decreased iron during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth, low child weight, low iron stock, and weak cognitive and behavioral growth.
Provide the body with energy
Failure to get enough iron in the body can affect the energy efficiency of the body. Iron carries the oxygen necessary to carry out mental and physical functions to the muscles and brain, so low levels of iron in the body lead to a lack of concentration and reduced body capacity to endure.
Better athletic performance
Iron deficiency is more common among athletes, especially among young women, and this deficiency, if it occurs, reduces the ability of the body to transport oxygen to the muscles, and thus poor athletic performance, and weak activity of the immune system.
Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common undernourishment diseases in the world and is more prevalent among children and women of childbearing age. Iron supplements are therefore prescribed for the treatment of anemia caused by:
- Pregnancy.
- Menstrual periods are heavy or long; menstruation drains the iron stock in the body, which is why the incidence of anemia is higher among women than men.
- Kidney Disease Kidney is the organ responsible for the production of Erythropoietin, which is responsible for stimulating the body to produce red blood cells. Kidney patients can lose blood during dialysis, and some dialysis drugs interfere with the body’s ability to absorb iron.
- Chemotherapy.
- Frequent blood donation.
- Gastrointestinal bleeding due to the prolonged use of drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
- The embryo stores the iron in the uterus. The fetus uses this stored quantity during the first six months of life, but preterm infants do not store enough iron, so they often need iron supplements.
- Peptic ulcer.
Use iron pills
The iron is best absorbed when taken on an empty stomach with water or fruit juice (for adults: one cup, for children: half a cup), before eating for about an hour or two hours later, taking iron supplements with juices that contain vitamin C helps the body to Iron absorption. However iron pills can be taken with food, or immediately after meals, to relieve gastric disorders. The following points show how to safely and effectively use iron grains:
- Follow the instructions of the health care professional and follow the instructions attached to the iron pills. The amount, number, and intervals of the appropriate doses are all dependent on the quality of the iron pills.
- Skip the missed dose if you forget it, and wait for the next dose.
- Keep iron grains at room temperature, away from moisture, direct light, and out of reach of children.
- Avoid foods that cause the loss of a large portion of iron value, for at least one to two hours before or after ingestion of iron pills, as follows:
- Cheese and yogurt.
- eggs.
- the milk.
- Spinach.
- Tea and coffee.
- Whole grain and bran.
- Avoid iron supplements with antacids, or calcium supplements at the same time, to get the full benefit of each medication, or supplement.
- Non-combination of iron pills and iron injections; because this causes iron poisoning of the body.
- Do not take large amounts of iron pills for longer than 6 months without consulting your doctor.
- Most people respond well to iron supplements, but some people with very low levels of iron need intravenous iron injection.
Risks of iron supplementation
Iron supplements, when taken in high doses, can cause side effects such as:
- stomach trouble.
- Changes in stool.
- Constipation.
- Diarrhea.
- nausea.
- vomiting.
- Excess doses of iron can cause poisoning in children, in which case emergency and medical assistance should be requested as soon as possible, including signs of an overdose of iron:
- Severe vomiting.
- diarrhea.
- Pain and cramps in the stomach.
- Paleness and discoloration of the skin and nails.
The body needs iron
The following table shows the RDA for iron needed to meet the needs of the human body:
| Age | Male | female |
|---|---|---|
| 3-1 years | 7 mg | 7 mg |
| 8-4 years | 10 mg | 10 mg |
| 13-9 years | 8 mg | 8 mg |
| 18-14 years | 11 mg | 15 mg, pregnant 27 mg, breastfeeding 10 mg |
| 50-19 years | 8 mg | 18 mg, pregnant 27 mg, nursing 9 mg |
| 50 years and over | 8 mg | 8 mg |
For most people, a varied and balanced diet provides enough iron needs for the body. Sources of natural food rich in iron include:
- Meat, fish and poultry.
- Vegetables, such as spinach, turnip, cauliflower.
- Dried fruits, nuts.
- Beans, lentils, and peas.
- Foods fortified with iron, such as cereals, and fortified bread.
- It is worth noting that iron is better absorbed from animal sources, yet the body can be helped to absorb iron from plant sources by eating vegetables rich in vitamin C, such as pepper, kiwi, and oranges.