Hopefully by the end of this article you’ll have no doubts about this subject.
Recommended Intake
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for elemental iron depends on a person’s age and sex. Infants: 0 to 6 months: 0.27 milligrams (mg)
7 to 12 months: 11 mg Children: 1 to 3 years: 7 mg
4 to 8 years: 10 mg Males: 9 to 13 years: 8 mg
14 to 18 years: 11 mg
19 years and older: 8 mg Females: 9 to 13 years: 8 mg
14 to 18 years: 15 mg
19 to 50 years: 18 mg
51 years and older: 8 mg
During pregnancy: 27 mg
When lactating between 14 and 18 years of age: 10 mg
When lactating at older than 19 years: 9 mg Iron supplements can be helpful when people find it difficult to take in enough iron through only dietary measures, such as in a plant-based diet.
Why Do You Need Iron?
“The major reason we need it is that it helps to transport oxygen throughout the body,” says Paul Thomas, EdD, RD, a scientific consultant to the National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.
Hemoglobin represents about two-thirds of the body’s iron. A lack of red blood cells is called iron deficiency anemia.
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How Much Iron Do I Need?
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Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin. This is a part of your red blood cells. If you don’t have enough iron, your body makes fewer and smaller red blood cells.
Then your body has less hemoglobin, and you can’t get enough oxygen. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is caused by low levels of iron in the body.
Many things can cause low iron levels. These include heavy menstrual bleeding, not getting enough iron in food, and health problems that cause bleeding inside your body or make it hard to absorb iron.
What Are The Symptoms?
You may not notice the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia. As anemia gets worse, you may feel weak and tired or dizzy.
How Is It Diagnosed?
These tests may include a complete blood count to look at your red blood cells and an iron test that shows how much iron is in your blood. To treat iron deficiency anemia, your doctor will try to find the cause of the anemia and treat that problem. These include meats, vegetables, and whole grains.
To help prevent anemia in babies and children, follow recommendations for feeding infants. Make sure that babies and children get enough iron. If you’re pregnant, you can take prenatal vitamins that include iron.