Iron synthesizes hemoglobin, a hemoprotein that transports oxygen in blood. Its deficiency can cause weakness, anemia, poor concentration, and shortness of breath. Here is a brief idea about the importance of iron, and the factors that can cause its deficiency.
Iron is an immensely important mineral for human health. It is primarily required to make hemoglobin, the hemoprotein that carries oxygen in blood. This mineral is also required for synthesizing myoglobin, which helps store oxygen in the muscle tissues.
The production of several important enzymes and the proper functioning of the immune system depend on the availability of iron in the body.
Iron deficiency can disrupt these vital functions to produce a number of health problems. Though the human body can store some iron, a deficiency of this mineral can occur due to inadequate dietary intake and chronic bleeding.
Chronic bleeding can be menstrual bleeding, non-menstrual bleeding, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Iron is also lost from the body in sweat, and shedding of intestinal cells. A problem in absorbing this nutrient, and frequent blood donations can be some other possible causes of iron deficiency.
Low Iron Levels in the Body
Low iron levels in the body can eventually cause anemia, which is known as iron deficiency anemia. Menstruating women, pregnant women, people having ulcers and any other conditions that can cause intestinal bleeding, and those who donate blood frequently are at an increased risk of developing this anemia.
People having gastrointestinal disorders and strict vegetarians can also experience iron deficiency at times. Low levels of iron in the body can manifest in increased fatigue and lack of energy. People suffering from this condition can look pale and weak.
Some other symptoms or signs of this condition are, dizziness or lightheadedness, shortness of breath, headaches, irritability, and weight loss. Brittle nails, cold hands and feet, soreness of the tongue, grooved nails, and hair loss can also indicate a deficiency of iron.
Apart from these, some people can develop an unusual condition, known as pica due to the deficiency of this mineral. Pica refers to an unusual craving for non-nutritive substances like clay, dirt, ice, soil, chalk, paper, etc. Some patients can also develop a disorder, known as restless leg syndrome due to the deficiency of this mineral.
Iron Deficiency During Pregnancy
Pregnant women are at an increased risk of developing iron deficiency, as the requirement of this mineral increases during pregnancy. A significantly low level of iron during pregnancy can raise the risk of premature birth and low birth weight.
Even stillbirth may result from a severe deficiency of iron in pregnant women. Pregnant women can develop anemia due to the deficiency of this mineral, which can make them weak. Blood transfusions may be required, if such women lose a lot of blood during delivery.
Prevention
This condition can be prevented by consuming foods rich in iron. Basically, there are two types of iron - heme and non-heme iron. Heme iron is more easily absorbed by the body than the non-heme iron. Heme iron can be found in animal source foods, like beef, chicken, fish, and organ meat like liver and kidneys.
Non-heme iron can be found in plant-derived food like beans and lentils. Some sources of this nutrient are, whole grains, oatmeal, blackstrap molasses, eggs, oysters, leafy green vegetables, dates, prunes, raisins, tofu, broccoli, nuts, and seeds.
Usually, a diet rich in iron is enough to counter effects of iron deficiency. But if you are considering to take supplements, please talk to your physician or health care provider. The accumulation of excess iron in the body is detrimental for health, and so, supplements should be used in moderation and only under supervision of a certified physician.
Disclaimer: This is for informative purposes only, and should not be replaced for the advice of a medical professional.