Iron Deficiency, Food, and Supplementation
What Does Iron Do?
Iron is an important mineral essential for your body’s growth and development. In the body, iron is used to make hemoglobin, a protein inside of red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Iron is also used to create myoglobin, a similar protein that provides oxygen to muscles (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services).
Iron deficiency anemia is a common type of anemia that occurs due to a lack of sufficient iron. It is particularly common for people who menstruate, as they cyclically lose blood through the process of menstruation.
Signs of Iron Deficiency
Extreme fatigue
Weakness
Pale skin
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Cold extremities
Sore or swollen tongue
(Mayo Clinic, 2022)
Iron Through Foods
While everyone needs iron for proper bodily function, many folks can obtain sufficient iron through the foods that they eat. There are many iron-rich foods, here we’ve listed ten:
Meat, particularly red meat such as beef
Shrimp
Tuna
Eggs
Spinach
Broccoli
Kale
Canned beans (kidney, garbanzo, or white)
Enriched breads
Tomato products, such as tomato paste
Check out more iron-rich foods through the American Red Cross.
Iron Supplementation
Folks who menstruate may benefit from supplementing iron, as they may not be able to obtain high enough levels of iron through their diet. Iron supplements can be hard on the stomach and lead to discomfort - which is why we recommend Easy Iron. Easy Iron is specially formulated for increased bioavailability (ability to be absorbed and used by the body) and have less food interactions, making it easier to digest without discomfort.
References
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, January 4). Iron deficiency anemia. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved October 7, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355034
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Office of dietary supplements - iron. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Retrieved October 7, 2022, from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-Consumer/