Facts About Iron
Some Important Facts About Iron
There are many facts about iron that it will help you to know, especially if you suspect you may have a problem.
Iron is a mineral that can be found in each cell in your body. Iron is important to red blood cells, and these in turn carry oxygen to all other cells. Your cells utilize oxygen to make energy from the foods that you consume. You also need iron to keep your immune system working at its best, and to help the cells in your brain work normally.
If your body is deficient in iron, you're not alone. In checking facts about iron, we find that this is the most common of all deficiencies of nutrients. You can become deficient in many ways, including blood loss from illness or injury, not absorbing your iron in the proper way, and not getting adequate iron in your diet. Symptoms of iron deficiency include inability to concentrate, muscle weakness, infections and fatigue.
How does your body get enough iron? If you peruse the facts about iron rich foods, you will discover that some of plant and animal foods contain iron. Your body absorbs iron better when it comes from meats than it does from plants. Eat plenty of foods rich in iron to keep the chance of iron deficiency remote. It's also important to consume foods that are high in vitamin C at the same time, because this vitamin can help your body absorb iron correctly.
People who don't get enough iron in their diet may need to take an iron supplement. This includes people low in iron, and pregnant women. Make sure children do not have access to iron supplements, because they can be fatal if ingested by children.
How much iron is too much iron? If you have too much iron in your system, it can be dangerous for the body. It can cause constipation, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. If you research facts about iron, you will learn that in the long term, an abnormally high iron level can cause damage to your liver, and other organs.
If you want to find more information about iron, you can check with the Family and Consumer Sciences agent who can be found at your local Extension office. He or she might have information in booklet form, and they may also offer classes in nutrition that you may want to attend. If you ask your physician, or your registered dietitian, they can give you more facts about iron.
In the two forms of iron absorbed by your body, the “heme” form is more easily absorbed, and the “nonheme” form is more difficult for your body to absorb. Eat lots of foods with heme form, including poultry, fish and meat, to make sure your body has enough iron.