Iron
Iron is one of the most important elements in the human body. It is responsible for several functions, the most important of which is that it enters the structure of blood pigment or so-called hemoglobin, which is the main component in red blood cells, it is the function of gas exchange for cells of the body for ease of union with oxygen and carbon dioxide, Oxygen from the lungs of the cells, and saves them from carbon dioxide by dropping it into the lungs, and also affects the work of the thyroid gland, and women are more likely to have iron deficiency, as well as children in the stage of growth and puberty.
Symptoms of iron deficiency
The lack of iron in the body many of the signs that indicate, and all are linked to insufficient access to blood parts of the body adequately due to anemia, do not get enough oxygen and food, causing:
- Feel tired and exhausted.
- Pale skin color, lips, gums, and eyelids inside.
- Tightness of breath when exerting such as jogging or climbing stairs.
- Headaches.
- Heart palpitations are higher than normal in trying to deliver blood to cells.
- Hair loss.
- Feeling like to eat ice cream or ice cubes.
- Dizziness.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Cooler limbs.
- Weakness of immunity.
- Gastrointestinal disorders.
- Change the color of the sun, or inflammation.
- Feelings of tension and anxiety without reason.
- Inflammation of the nerves of the feet, making it difficult to stand up.
Causes of iron deficiency
- Malnutrition is the lack of iron-containing foods or a vegetarian diet. Animal sources such as red meat, fish and poultry are easier to absorb because they are Heme. Iron found in green vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, kiwi, The whole is non-Heme, which is harder to absorb.
- In some women, and in the period of puberty also, women lose a lot of blood, and iron is the main component of the bulk of the components of blood, namely red blood cells, as well as nursing women are in need to produce milk.
- Increase the body’s need for iron in pregnant women, they need more blood to be able to feed the body body of the fetus next to the body, and in children also in the stage of growth.
- Take what may hinder iron absorption during meals rich in iron or shortly afterwards, such as calcium in milk, its products and other sources, and tannin found in tea and coffee.
- Heavy sports can cause iron deficiency; as it stimulates the body to produce red blood cells, athletes must eat enough iron.
In contrast, Vitamin C, which can be obtained from citrus, guava and cabbage helps to absorb iron.