An aneurysm may have no symptoms until it is either very large or it ruptures. A common misconception is that anorexia nervosa only affects young women, but it affects males and females of all ages.
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Skip to main content. Blood and blood vessels. Home Blood and blood vessels. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Roles of iron in the body Recommended dietary iron intakes Recommended dietary intakes per day Types of iron in our diets How much iron do we absorb from our diet? Dietary factors affecting iron absorption High-risk groups for iron deficiency Iron supplements Too much iron can be harmful Where to get help. Roles of iron in the body Some of the many roles of iron in the body include: oxygen transport — red blood cells contain haemoglobin, a complex protein that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
Myoglobin contains iron and is responsible for the red colour of muscle enzymes — many enzymes throughout the body contain iron, including those involved in energy production.
Enzymes are catalysts increase the rate of chemical reaction that drive many cell functions immune system — proper functioning of the immune system relies, in part, on sufficient iron. The immune system helps us fight infection. Recommended dietary iron intakes The average person needs to absorb just a small amount of iron each day to stay healthy around 1 mg for adult males and 1.
This is why infant formula available in Australia is iron-fortified. Following the instructions on the formula packet will provide your baby with the iron intake they need to meet their daily requirements. A doctor may sometimes check blood levels of these two components if anemia is suspected. Adolescents years actively growing also need higher iron: 11 mg for boys, 15 mg for girls, 27 mg for pregnancy, and 10 mg for lactation.
It may be noted that menopause occurs later for some women, so they should continue to follow the RDA for younger women until menopause is confirmed. For younger ages, the UL is 40 mg. Meats, poultry, and seafood are richest in heme iron. Fortified grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and vegetables contain non-heme iron.
In the U. Heme iron is better absorbed by the body than non-heme iron. Certain factors can improve or inhibit the absorption of non-heme iron. Vitamin C and heme iron taken at the same meal can improve the absorption of non-heme iron.
Bran fiber, large amounts of calcium particularly from supplements, and plant substances like phytates and tannins can inhibit the absorption of non-heme iron. There are several types of iron available as over-the-counter supplements, e.
Confusion is also caused by two number amounts listed on the label, a higher number and a lower number. What is the difference among supplement forms and which number should you refer to for the right amount to take?
Elemental versus chemical form of iron. If two iron amounts are listed on the label, the larger number is the chemical compound form because iron is bound to salts e.
Elemental iron is the more important number because this is the amount available for the body to absorb. However, a physician may not specify in a prescription if the iron amount is the chemical form or the elemental iron. For example, a ferrous sulfate iron supplement may list a total of mg of ferrous sulfate on the front of the label but 65 mg of elemental iron in smaller print on the back. If a physician prescribed 65 mg of iron, would you take five pills to equal mg, or just one pill, assuming the prescription referred to elemental iron?
Different types. All types of supplemental iron help to increase red blood cell production but vary in cost and amounts of elemental iron. Ferrous gluconate is usually sold in liquid form and some clinical studies have shown that it is better absorbed than ferrous sulfate tablets. However, ferrous gluconate contains less elemental iron than ferrous sulfate, so a greater dosage may be needed to correct a deficiency.
It is also more expensive than ferrous sulfate. Newer slow-release forms of iron have been introduced, which may help reduce gastrointestinal side effects, but they are more expensive and usually contain less iron.
Any confusion with iron supplement types and amounts can be resolved by asking your doctor to specify both the elemental amount and the chemical compound amount. Your body absorbs iron from plant sources better when you eat it with meat, poultry, seafood, and foods that contain vitamin C , such as citrus fruits, strawberries, sweet peppers, tomatoes, and broccoli. Iron is available in many multivitamin-mineral supplements and in supplements that contain only iron.
Iron in supplements is often in the form of ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate, ferric citrate, or ferric sulfate. Dietary supplements that contain iron have a statement on the label warning that they should be kept out of the reach of children.
Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Most people in the United States get enough iron. However, certain groups of people are more likely than others to have trouble getting enough iron:.
In the short term, getting too little iron does not cause obvious symptoms. The body uses its stored iron in the muscles, liver, spleen, and bone marrow. But when levels of iron stored in the body become low, iron deficiency anemia sets in.
Red blood cells become smaller and contain less hemoglobin. As a result, blood carries less oxygen from the lungs throughout the body. Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include GI upset, weakness, tiredness, lack of energy, and problems with concentration and memory. In addition, people with iron deficiency anemia are less able to fight off germs and infections , to work and exercise, and to control their body temperature.
Infants and children with iron deficiency anemia might develop learning difficulties. Iron deficiency is not uncommon in the United States, especially among young children, women under 50, and pregnant women.
It can also occur in people who do not eat meat, poultry, or seafood; lose blood; have GI diseases that interfere with nutrient absorption; or eat poor diets. Scientists are studying iron to understand how it affects health. During pregnancy, the amount of blood in a woman's body increases, so she needs more iron for herself and her growing baby. Getting too little iron during pregnancy increases a woman's risk of iron deficiency anemia and her infant's risk of low birthweight, premature birth, and low levels of iron.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should take an iron supplement as recommended by an obstetrician or other healthcare provider.
Iron deficiency anemia in infancy can lead to delayed psychological development, social withdrawal, and less ability to pay attention. By age 6 to 9 months, full-term infants could become iron deficient unless they eat iron- enriched solid foods or drink iron-fortified formula.
Some chronic diseases—such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease , and some types of cancer—can interfere with the body's ability to use its stored iron. Taking more iron from foods or supplements usually does not reduce the resulting anemia of chronic disease because iron is diverted from the blood circulation to storage sites.
The main therapy for anemia of chronic disease is treatment of the underlying disease.
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