What Does Iron Do For Your Body And Why Do You Need It?

Iron is an essential mineral, found in every cell of the body.

It is an important component of the haemoglobin in red blood cells, which carries oxygen around the body.

If you have too little iron, your body can’t make enough healthy oxygen-transporting red blood cells. The knock on effect is fatigued body, which impacts brain function and immunity. Many people do not get enough iron from the food they are eating.

Iron deficiency anaemia is a very common nutritional deficiency in particular amongst children and women of childbearing age.

If you have heavy periods they can leave you lacking in iron and so can pregnancy as your body requires extra iron for your growing baby.

Symptoms Of Iron Deficiency

Tiredness

Lack of energy

Dizziness

Shortness of breathe

Heart palpitations

Pale complexion

Headaches

Sore tongue

Loss of appetite or nausea

Feeling itchy

Hair loss

Difficulty Swallowing

Mouth ulcers

Nail deformities

Cold or numbness in the fingers and toes due to poor blood circulation

Children may become very tired and have low concentration levels

Heme And Non-heme Iron

Dietary iron comes in two forms: heme iron which is found in animal flesh and non-heme iron which is found in plant foods and dairy products. Research suggests that heme iron is more absorbable than non-heme iron. Non-heme iron is better absorbed along side vitamin C.

Good Sources Of Iron Include: