Why You Need A Good Iron Supplement

You've probably heard that, for women especially, a good iron supplement is imperative for good health, but do you know why? Well, simply put, iron helps carry oxygen around in your blood. An iron deficiency results in oxygen starved organs and can lead to heart failure in extreme cases.

We need about 15 milligrams of iron each day. Iron is stored in our blood and men need it just as much as women, but iron deficiency can be more of a problem for women as they lose much iron each month during menstruation. Women who are pregnant require lots more iron and should take an iron supplement (or multi vitamin with iron) prescribed by their doctor.

Symptoms of an iron deficiency can include pale skin, fatigue and shortness of breath. Some people even have strange cravings for things like paper or laundry starch!

Iron is found in red meat, but if you don’t eat meat there are plenty of options including a good iron supplement. You can also get iron from green leafy vegetables such as spinach, whole grain breads, dried fruit and potatoes.

When taking an iron supplement be aware that other vitamins and minerals taken with iron can either help or hinder it’s absorption. Vitamin will help your body absorb iron, but anything with caffeine or calcium will cause you to absorb less of the iron.

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