Iron is a mineral that is essential to growth and development. It is used to make hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the other parts of the body. It also helps produce myoglobin which provides oxygen to the muscles.

Those that don’t get enough iron in their diets may suffer from an iron deficiency. An iron deficiency may be very mild at first but in time, symptoms will start to manifest. These include the following:

·         Extreme fatigue

·         Weakness

·         Pale skin

·         Chest pain, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath

·         Headache, dizziness, lightheadedness

·         Cold extremities

·         Inflammation or soreness of tongue

·         Brittle nails

·         Poor appetite, especially in children and infants

·         Cravings for non-nutritive substances like ice or dirt

·         Hair loss

If an iron deficiency is left untreated, it will cause the body to work harder to make up for the lack of hemoglobin. This can cause damage to the heart and other organs of the body.

How to Overcome an Iron Deficiency

Because iron is so important, you want to make sure you get enough in your diet. And if an iron deficiency occurs, you want to do whatever you can to reverse its effects. With that in mind, here are some suggestions for overcoming a deficiency.

Treat it At the Root: Sometimes iron deficiencies are caused by blood loss. The blood loss may be due to a digestive problem such as ulcer that can be treated with antibiotics. It can also be caused by a polyp or cancerous tumor that can be removed with surgery.

Blood loss can also be caused by excessive menstrual bleeding. Usually birth control pills will decrease blood loss, but in some cases surgery may be necessary.

Increase Iron Intake: If the deficiency is not severe, you may be able to reverse its effects by including more iron-rich foods in your diet. Red meat, poultry, beans, dark leafy green vegetables and dried fruit are examples of high iron foods that can help reverse a deficiency.

Vitamin C will help your body to better absorb iron. Therefore, eating vitamin C rich foods such as broccoli, tomato, red and green peppers, winter squash, and sweet and white potatoes will help your body absorb the iron you need.

You can also take iron and vitamin C supplements to reverse an iron deficiency. This will help to make up for the iron you are not getting through food.

If you are looking for a supplement that you can count on, Pure Encapsulations makes an Iron-C formula that will help you get the iron you need. 

The Pure Encapsulations brand is known for providing hypoallergenic, research-based supplements. Their Iron-C formula is designed to increase levels of iron in the body while providing vitamin C for ultimate absorption. The supplement is vegetarian, hypoallergenic, and 100% natural.

If you are suffering with an iron deficiency, treat it before it’s too late. The right diet and supplements can help boost your health to get you back in fighting shape. What measures do you take to protect yourself from the effects of low iron?

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