Iron deficiency – an often underestimated problem

Our body needs iron for red blood cell formation: The contained therein blood pigment hemoglobin, a protein that allows the storage and transport of oxygen. Also in energy metabolism plays an important role iron. No wonder that iron deficiency is a range of unpleasant and even dangerous consequences in its wake.

Iron deficiency is widespread. In women, the loss of blood in menstruation and birth as well as the increased needs during pregnancy and lactation periods take their toll. Estimated 5-10 percent of the Americans population are affected by iron deficiency anemia. In developing countries, it hits almost 50 percent of the population, especially women and children.

To a limited supply of iron in the diet lead, among other:

• A meat diet
• The consumption of black tea, coffee and red wine, the tannins contained
• Milk and foods that contain calcium salts
• Some antibiotics and some pain and anti-inflammatory drugs
• Additives in processed foods
• Metabolic problems in the gastrointestinal tract, affecting mainly male seniors
• Unnoticed gastrointestinal bleeding

The consequences of iron deficiency.

The individual need for iron varies depending on age and situation 8-30 milligrams, the last value relates to the pregnancy. In children, a deficiency leads even in the womb to growth and developmental retardation.
Typical signs of acute iron deficiency in adults, for example:

• Pallor of the skin and mucous membranes
• Persistent fatigue and lack of ability to dizzy spells
• Poor concentration and forgetfulness
• Frequently occurring common cold
• Hair loss, dull hair, brittle skin, brittle nails flat, cracks in the corners of the mouth, the poor heal (mouth-fissures)
• Cardiovascular and respiratory problems
• Nervousness
• Stomach and intestinal problems

The severity of iron deficiency anemia is detected on the blood picture. Symptoms occur only when the hemoglobin in the bone marrow is not adequately provided.

Iron deficiency fix.

If an iron deficiency anemia detected by blood test, the doctor should clarify whether as gastrointestinal bleeding or metabolic disorders present as cause and treat it. In an unbalanced diet or increased need help iron supplements. Meanwhile, many high-quality, well-tolerated products are available to both prevent iron deficiency and can fix them. The precautionary makes taking for example in athletes, pregnant women or seniors sense. But it should be performed only on medical instruction.
In order to improve the absorption of iron from food or have additional preparations helps the additional supply of:

• Plenty of vitamin C
• Lactic acid and the amino acids methionine and cysteine

Tannins in tea or coffee, phytates from nuts and bran, oxalic acid from spinach and rhubarb, phosphate contained in cola and lemonade, and other foreign matter can block the absorption of iron and should be avoided in iron deficiency.

In addition to meat and offal such as liver, vegetarian diet can provide iron: sesame, certain cereals, dried apricots, broccoli and legumes contain, among other abundant iron.