What Is Iron?
Iron is a mineral in the human body and is essential for good health. Iron is necessary in the production of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. If you do not have enough iron, your body cannot make enough hemoglobin – a condition known as anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia and nutritional disorder worldwide. It is often undiagnosed and left untreated.1
What can lower the body’s supply of iron?
Factors that can lower your body’s supply of iron include:
- Blood loss (caused by ulcers, some cancers, monthly periods, or other conditions)2
- A diet that doesn’t include enough iron2
- An increase in the body’s need for iron (for instance, in women during pregnancy, especially during the 2nd and 3rd third trimesters3)
- Body destroys RBCs2
What are the symptoms of anemia?
There are several symptoms that may occur in all types of anemia. They are:
- Fatigue
- Paleness
- Difficulty breathing
- Rapid heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Feeling cold (including the sensation that your hands or feet are colder than usual)
- Infections (caused by weakened immune system)
Who is most likely to develop iron deficiency?
Anyone can develop iron deficiency, although the following groups have a higher risk:
- Women: Blood loss during monthly periods and childbirth can lead to anemia4
- People over 65, who are more likely to have iron-poor diets4
- People who are on blood thinners such as aspirin, Plavix®, Coumadin®, or heparin4
- People who have kidney failure (especially if they are on dialysis), because they have trouble making red blood cells4
- People who have trouble absorbing iron4
THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION.
THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.