About Iron Deficiency

Approximately 20% of women, 50% of pregnant women, and 3% of men are iron deficient. It is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world. Without iron, it is difficult for our blood to carry oxygen to the cells in our body so that they can function properly. Insufficient amounts of iron can lead to symptoms such as feelings of weakness, tiredness, mental fatigue and shortness of breath.

Iron is generally obtained through the food in your diet and by recycling iron from old red blood cells. The causes of iron deficiency are too little iron in the diet, poor absorption of iron by the body, and loss of blood (often from heavy menstrual bleeding).

Supplementing with Iron

If insufficient levels of iron are present in the body due to diet or heavy bleeding, iron supplementation may be of benefit.

The recommended daily dosage is 15mg of elemental iron.

Some people experience difficulty supplementing with iron and report constipation, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, especially if taken on an empty stomach.

Unnecessary iron supplementation can interfere with your body's absorption of other minerals, including zinc and copper.

Iron is toxic in large amounts and can be fatal at high doses.

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