Iron Information
Iron Dosage
Iron Sources
Iron Information
Iron is a very important mineral in human physiology, but is in fact only a trace mineral in terms of concentration in the body. (The body contains approximately 4-5g).The main function of iron in the diet is as an important component of the blood pigment hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is contained within red blood cells and is the carrier of vital oxygen around the body. Other than its function in red blood cells, iron is also found in myoglobin and also helps in energy-releasing reactions of the body. Women are more at risk for iron deficiency because of their monthly menstrual blood loss. Women with high menstrual loss are advised to meet their extra need with a supplement. Other people that may need an iron supplement are athletes, elderly, pregnant women and adolescents.
Deficiency Signs that may appear are anemia, fatigue, light-headedness, weakness and low hemoglobin measurement in the blood.
Iron Dosage
A recommended daily allowance is 14mg.
Iron Sources
Great sources of iron are curry powder, fortified breakfast cereal, lamb’s liver, apricots, dried, corned beef, eggs, beef, watercress, bread, white, cabbage, red wine, white fish, white, and potatoes. Animal sources of iron are much better absorbed than plant sources, because in animal tissue the iron is organically bound as haemoglobin. In plants, iron is present as the much more poorly absorbed inorganic structure.
