12 Jan

How Much Iron is Enough?

43833206 - pills with iron fe element dietary supplements. vitamin capsules. 3d

Iron is a critical nutrient for you body, and too much or too little can lead to very unpleasant side effects. It’s important to understand how iron contributes to your overall wellness, as well as recognize the signs of iron deficiency. This is especially true if you are pregnant, since your developing child will demand iron as well.

The Role of Iron In the Body

Iron is an essential mineral that helps send oxygen throughout the body. This means that iron plays a vital role in hemoglobin, which is the component of red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs and distributes it to different areas of the body. Without enough iron, your body can’t efficiently support the red blood cells necessary for oxygen distribution. As Paul Thomas, a scientific consultant to the National Institutes of Health explains, “If you’re not getting sufficient oxygen in the body, you’re going to become fatigued.” That type of exhaustion doesn’t just make you tired, but also stunts brain function and immune system strength. Read More