06 Dec Tips for getting more iron

Iron is a mineral that’s vital to your health. All of your cells contain some iron, but most of the iron in your body is in your red blood cells. Iron is one of the most important minerals for our body, mainly categorized in to two types: heme Iron (which is better absorbed and found mostly in meat) and non-heme iron (fond in plants).

Why we need Iron?

Some of the key function of Iron in our body are:

• Helps to form haemoglobin (which stores about 2/3 of the body’s iron).
• Helps to transport and store oxygen in body.
• Assists in enzymatic activities responsible for increasing red blood cell formation
• Forms an essential constituent for hundreds of proteins and enzymes.

Foods rich in Iron

Iron can be found in different types of food including

• Red meat ( which also includes dark-fleshed fish such as tuna and poultry like ostrich and duck)
• Soybeans
• Spinach
• Lentils
• Sesame seeds
• Potatoes
• Kidney beans
• Prunes
• Molasses
• Chickpeas
• Pumpkin seeds
• Navy beans
• Cashews

Iron Deficiencies can lead to:

• Unusual Tiredness.
• Paleness. Pale skin and pale colouring of the inside of the lower eyelids
• Shortness of Breath.
• Headaches and Dizziness.
• Heart Palpitations.
• Dry and Damaged Hair and Skin.
• Swelling and Soreness of the Tongue and Mouth.
• Restless Legs.

So if you feel you are experiencing any of above symptoms please see your doctor.

What if I have excess level of iron?
Common symptoms are:
• Joint pain
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Weakness

Later signs and symptoms of the disease may include:

• Diabetes
• Loss of sex drive
• Impotence
• Heart failure
• Liver failure