Monday, April 6, 2009

Why Take Iron Supplements?

We all need iron in our diet. Well take a closer look at what iron does for us. Who is at risk of iron deficiency and who should be taking iron supplements. You also need to know how to get more iron in your diet.

What do iron vitamins do for us? Well, it helps to produce hemoglobin and myoglobin, both of which help move and store oxygen in the blood and muscles. Iron helps to manufacture energy for us, when our body doesnt have enough iron, we feel sluggish and tired.

Many women are at risk of having an iron deficiency, women lose iron during their menstrual cycle. If a proper diet isnt follow its quite easy for a women to become deficient in iron. Also pregnant women require extra iron as well to help the baby grow healthy and strong, but also to keep the mother in good health. A verity of iron rich foods makes for the best and easiest iron rich diet.

What can you do to find out if you are deficient in iron? Well the only sure way to know is to go to your doctor and have them run some tests. Because of the negative side effects(such as nausea and constipation) from taking iron supplements, its best to be certain you are deficient first.

If youre asking Do I need Iron supplements? the answer is, probably not.

If you dont have an iron deficiency, you do not need to take iron supplements. Theres no need to risk taking supplements if you dont have a deficiency. In addition to the minor side effects, more serious side effects can occur, this includes diabetes or even cancer. So if you dont need it, dont take it.

You dont need to take supplements to get iron, there are plenty of healthy iron rich foods. Many foods, such as beef, poultry and seafood are rich in heme iron, its the most easily absorbed form of iron. Other foods, such as dried fruit, broccoli, spinach and red wine contain a less easily absorbed form of iron.

Also, combining iron rich foods with other vitamins, specifically vitamins A & C, can speed up iron absorbsion.