Iron to become an iron lady

Girls, Are you tired and lethargic?

Iron is an important mineral mainly for the production of blood in body.More than 50℅ of iron is present in the haemoglobin of RBC. Thats why we check haemoglobin to assess the iron deficiency which is named as ‘Anemia’. It is a common nutritional deficiency. Women are especially prone to anemia than men and it’s a world wide problem affecting ladies.There are many reasons behind this.

Usually when a baby is born, the body has iron reserves. And this reserves are enough for the blood formation and other functions. Later when they reaches adolescence, iron reserves will get replenish that is menstruating women deplete the iron stores and we must provide iron from foods. Also due to menstruation, a girl is loosing an average 10 mg iron through blood. Thus it’s very essential to eat more iron. Athletic women, women who works long time on kitchen and other works loses iron through sweat,pregnant and lactating women loses iron through body. Thus iron is needed for women but they are the most who are getting deficiency too.

There are different types of anemia and of this iron deficiency anemia is the most common case. In such condition, there is unhealthy red blood cells and low oxygen supply throughout the body, which is a major function of blood. Thus, tiredness, weakness, paleness ,headache,and lack of energy are common symptoms seen. Iron deficiency anemia occurs mainly due to lack of eating iron rich foods, heavy periods, blood loss due to any disease or any blood disorders.

When anemia become severe, the nail become spoon shaped, eyes and face become shivery and pale,infections will be common, heart complications etc. An anemic pregnant woman results in early child birth, abortions, and other abnormalities. Thus iron tablets are prescribed by doctor during pregnancy.

Also if there is vitamin B12 deficiency, it’s called pernicious anemia and deficiency of folic acid leads to megaloblastic or folic acid deficiency anemia. These are less common

Coming to the major thing, supplying adequate iron through food makes a woman energetic and keeps young. About 21 mg of iron per day should be consumed by a woman and if she is pregnant it increased to 35 mg per day.

Iron sources

The iron rich foods include dark green leafy vegetables, red meat,fish, poultry, pomegranate, watermelon, grape juice, dates, jaggary, rice flakes, sesame seeds, beans, lentils, peas,dried fruits and iron fortified cereals. When you eat a iron rich foods, the iron is absorbed in the body as haem and non haem forms. Haem iron is obtained from animal sources and non haem from plant sources.Why eating iron tablets for anemia if we have a plenty natural sources of iron.

So what say girls? Eat iron and become an iron lady.