Iron plays an important role in extracting energy from nutrients. It contributes to the transmission of nerve impulses from the rest of the body to the brain. The abundance of iron gets stored by the body for future use.
Although an average American does consume sufficient iron every day, there are few who are iron deficient.
Symptoms Of Low Iron
Iron is an essential mineral for the overall development of a human body. Each cell in the body contains iron, especially the red blood cells that process the transportation of oxygen from the lungs to the organs and tissues through the entire body.
Even after being a vital nutrient, most of us are able to meet up our daily iron needs. For those who don’t, here’s a list of physical signs that indicate iron deficiency.
#1. Fatigue and Exhaustion
Extreme fatigue and frequent exhaustion is the most common symptom of iron deficiency. This reflects that your body is having trouble in transporting oxygen to your cells, hence the dip in energy levels. People with iron deficiency feel sluggish and weak too often.
#2. Prone To Infections
Iron helps tremendously in maintaining a healthy immune system, which implies that lack of iron will lead to a weaker immune system. A person with low immunity is naturally prone to frequent allergies and infections. Iron deficiency also reduces the production of white blood cells which are pivotal in boosting the immunity.
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#3. Pale Skin
With its effect on the red blood cells, iron deficiency obviously gets linked to causing pale skin. When red blood cells are low with iron, the hemoglobin levels falls causing the skin to lose its rosy color and become pale. This trait can be traced by observing the color of the area inside your bottom eyelid, which gets lighter due to iron deficiency.
#4. Swollen Tongue
Another important symptom of low iron on the body is swelling up of the muscles. It happens to all the muscles, but the only visible one is the tongue. Cracks on the side of the mouth and swelling of the tongue could be extremely painful at times.
#5. Restlessness In The Legs
Some people with iron deficiency develop restless legs syndrome. It is a disorder that causes a strong urge to keep moving your legs. The urge is a result of an unpleasant, crawling sensation in the legs that makes it hard for the person to sleep.
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Best Rated Iron Supplements
While many people are able to meet their daily requirement of iron, some (especially vegetarians, pregnant, or pre-menopausal women) might need some daily iron supplement. The best iron supplements are:
#1. Pure Encapsulations Iron-C (for Men)
#2. Bariatric Advantage Chewable Iron 18 mg (for Women)
#3. DaVinci Laboratories Iron Bis-Glycinate (for Vegetarian Women)
#4. Zahler’s Iron Complex (for Pregnant Women)
Consult your doctor before beginning any iron supplements course.
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Side Effects Of Iron Supplement
Iron supplements may benefit some, but it may also cause some medical conditions or unwanted effects. Check with your doctor if you come across any of these following side effects:
#1. Backache
#2. Chest pain
#3. Chills
#4. Dizziness
#5. Fainting
#6. Fever plus sweating
#7. Frequent headache
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#8. Nausea or vomiting
#9. Tingling of hands or feet
#10. Redness at injection area
#11. Abdominal or stomach pain
#12. Double vision
#13. Stools with blood
Do you have any queries related to Iron deficiency? Let us know in the comment section below.
(Featured Image Courtesy: The Conversation)
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