nullnull———iron deficiency———iron deficiencyWomen and children's diseasesnullWhat is iron deficiency?iron
deficiencyyou don't know!Why do we need iron?who is at risk?what could we do?null Iron is a mineral found in every cell of the body. It is vital for good health and for our mental and physical wellbeing. Lack of iron is the most common single nutrient deficiency worldwide, with women and preschool children being at particular risk. However, correcting an iron deficiency is usually straightforward.
Why do we need iron?Why do we need iron? Iron is one of 20 minerals found in food. It is stored in your liver, spleen and bone marrow. If your body lacks iron, it cannot make enough haemoglobin, which is the substance in your red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body and brain. Iron boosts your immune system, helps fight infections, and is vital for normal child growth and intellectual development. If you do not have enough, you may lack energy and get sick often. Iron is needed for optimum brain function in adults and children.nullwho
is
at
risk
?You may develop iron deficiency if you do not eat iron-rich foods for a long period of time. People need more iron at certain times, such as in adolescence, pregnancy or when exercising a lot. Iron deficiency can be due to lengthy illness or losing blood from heavy periods or stomach ulcers – bleeding from some cancers is a rare but important cause.
nullwhat
could
we
do
?Recommended daily dietary intake of ironRecommended daily dietary intake of ironnull Iron in plant foods is not as easily absorbed as that in meat, so vegetarians and vegans may get too little iron. You should tell your doctor if you have a non-meat diet so he or she can test you for iron deficiency and, if necessary, refer you to a dietitian for advice.
V&Snull You can feel more and more unwell, particularly if an underlyi
ng cause of iron deficiency , such as stomach bleeding, is not treat
ed. If infants go untreated it can result in developmental and learning difficulties.
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