The Role of Iron Supplements in Treating Anemia
Iron is an essential nutrient that plays a key role in the production of red blood cells. When you have iron deficiency, your body will struggle to produce enough hemoglobin for oxygen transport and other bodily functions.
Anemia can result from many different causes, but it often occurs when people don't consume enough iron on a regular basis. Iron supplements are one way to increase their intake and improve symptoms of anemia. In this blog post, we will discuss the role of iron supplements in treating anemia and what options may be best suited for your needs!
Importance Of Iron In Our Body
Iron is an important mineral that benefits the cardiovascular system and supports normal cognitive function. The body uses iron to produce hemoglobin in red blood cells, which are responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. Anemia occurs when you don't have enough healthy red blood cells because your body doesn’t produce enough or die too quickly.
Your muscles, brain, heart, liver need iron for their daily work. Without enough iron in your diet, you may become tired all of the time and lose your interest in everyday activities. Another importance of iron is that it helps your body make new cells, especially in the bone marrow.
The most common cause of anemia is iron deficiency, so iron supplements can help provide your body with the materials it needs to produce healthy red blood cells. Iron supplements often come in two forms: ferrous sulfate and ferrous gluconate. These are both easily absorbed by the body and should be taken into consideration when choosing a supplement.
Iron is frequently combined with vitamin C, which helps your body absorb iron more effectively. It's important to take your supplement at the same time as a food rich in vitamin C (oranges are an excellent choice!) and avoid calcium supplements since they can interfere with its absorption.
Anemia occurs when you have fewer than 12 grams of hemoglobin in a liter of blood. This results from low production and increased destruction or loss of red blood cells, which can occur with cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and chronic kidney disease.
Iron supplements are commonly prescribed for people who have anemia and those who may be at risk for developing it due to factors like age or a history of blood loss. People who are at risk for anemia should consult with their doctor to discuss specific recommendations, but some examples include menstruating women and people experiencing heavy bleeding from ulcers or hemorrhoids.
Suppose your healthcare provider recommends taking iron supplements. In that case, you will likely be instructed to take them on either an empty stomach (one hour before or two hours after eating) or with a source of vitamin C.
Iron supplements are extremely effective at treating anemia and increasing the number of red blood cells in your body, but they shouldn't be used as a treatment for people who don’t have iron deficiency since high doses can lead to side effects like nausea, stomach upset and constipation.
How Much Iron Should You Take If You Are Anemic?
Iron is a key mineral that helps the body produce healthy blood cells and transport oxygen throughout your system. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, which often causes fatigue and problems with concentration and memory function. Iron supplements are commonly prescribed for people who have anemia and those who may be at risk of developing it.
The recommended daily intake of iron is 18mg per day for men and 27mg per day for women over the age of 19, but your doctor may recommend taking more if you suffer from symptoms or other risk factors like heavy menstrual bleeding.
Pregnant women may also be prescribed iron supplements since they often do not eat red meat or other good sources of dietary iron. Iron supplements can provide your body with the materials it needs to produce healthy blood cells and combat anemia, but how much you should take depends on your specific needs. It's important to talk to a doctor about any risks before starting supplementation with iron.
Natural Supplements For Anemia
Drinks That Are High In Iron
1) Prune Juice
This kind of juice is full of antioxidants and provides an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. It is also very low in sugars, making it a great alternative to other sweetened beverages.
2) Black Tea
Black tea is a very good source of iron and can be consumed with milk or lemon to enhance the flavor. However, it should only be drunk in moderation because too much caffeine intake can cause dehydration and lack of sleep. Black tea also contains fluoride, which may cause damage to your teeth over time.
3) Water
Water is the best beverage for anemia and contains a lot of minerals. A glass or two per day will hydrate you, improve your skin's appearance and remove toxins from your body. It also helps to keep feel full because it takes up room in the stomach, making people less likely to eat more food. However, if water does not quench your thirst, then other drinks may be better.
4) Tomato Juice
This kind of juice is a great source of iron because it contains two percent of the daily recommended amount per serving. Additionally, this drink helps improve blood flow and can help reduce anemia symptoms. Tomato juice also provides your body with vitamin C, which boosts immunity by increasing white blood cells needed to fight off infections.
5) Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice is a great beverage for anemia because it provides iron, calcium, and vitamin C. It also helps prevent kidney stones and urinary tract infections by lowering the acidity levels in your urine, decreasing bacteria growth. Similar to tomato juice, cranberry juice is a high antioxidant that benefits heart health as well.
6) Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is known to provide relief for anemia symptoms and has been used as a folk remedy. It has also been shown to reduce insulin resistance, improve diabetes control and help with weight loss when consumed before meals. Apple cider vinegar can either be mixed in water or taken directly by the spoonful because of its strong taste. Many people also use it to enhance hair and skin quality by massaging the mixture into their scalp.
Foods That Are High In Iron
1) Beans And Lentils
These delicious little legumes are packed with iron and fiber, which makes them a great food for vegetarians.
Beans and lentils also contain more complex carbohydrates than many other high-protein foods like meat or eggs, so they will keep you feeling fuller longer.
Both of these factors make beans and lentils the perfect replacement to your daily dose of meat, as they can provide the same amount of protein and fiber while being better for your health.
2) Dark Leafy Greens
Kale, spinach, and Swiss chard are all high in iron and vitamins like vitamin C.
In fact, these leafy greens contain more than twice as much iron per serving,than some red meats! They also have a low impact on blood glucose levels, making them great for diabetics or people with hypoglycemia. You can add these greens to your regular salads or use them as a side dish for the main dishes.
If you want an added boost, try adding spinach leaves into smoothies and juices! Iron supplements are not the only way to treat anemia caused by iron deficiency. Foods high in iron like beans and lentils, dark leafy greens, and other healthy foods can also be used to treat anemia without the risk of side effects.
4) Meats
Lamb, Beef, Liver, Pork (chops, loin), Chicken, and Turkey are all high in iron.
Aside from being a great source of protein and various vitamins, meats are also low on the glycemic index scale and contain no carbohydrates or sugars at all!
This makes them an excellent option for improving their blood sugar levels through diet changes.
5) Fish
Fish like Salmon and Trout are packed with iron. They also contain amino acids like tryptophan, which can decrease your stress levels and improve mood!
While these fish have a higher calorie count than some other protein sources (like beans or lentils), they also contain healthy fats that help to fight inflammation in the body.
Iron supplements can also be used to treat anemia caused by iron deficiency. Foods high in iron like beans and lentils, dark leafy greens, and other healthy foods can also be used to treat anemia without the risk of side effects.
6) Fresh Fruits
Fruits high in iron like watermelon, pineapple, and raisins are a great source of vitamins C, A and B. They also have the added benefit of being low on the glycemic index scale!
These make them an excellent addition to any meal that contains carbohydrates (like pasta or bread) as they help your body break down sugars more slowly while delivering their own healthy sugars!
Low In Iron Symptoms
Lack of iron in the blood causes anemia because it limits our body's ability to carry oxygen throughout the bloodstream. Oxygen is required for energy production by cells that need glucose or fat for fuel! When these cells don't get enough oxygen due to a lack of iron, they can't produce the energy we need to stay active and alert.
This is why anemia is often accompanied by symptoms like fatigue or feeling tired all the time even with a good night's sleep, dizziness as though you might pass out from standing too quickly, difficulty focusing on tasks that require concentration or thinking clearly for long periods of time, and irritability or short temper.
These symptoms are often worse during physical activity, so you may feel more tired than usual even after exercising!
How Long Does It Take To Get Iron Levels Up?
Those who really have a low iron count can take several weeks of consistent iron supplementation to bring their levels back up to a healthy amount.
This is because the body only absorbs so much at a time and stores excess amounts in our organs. The liver primarily! Too many supplements taken too quickly build up an overload that needs to be released by the livers over time.
This is why it's best to limit yourself to supplements taken once a day for at least 30 days. After that, you can either continue taking them or reduce the dosage and monitor your symptoms over the next few weeks!
Iron supplements can be used to treat anemia. Foods high in iron like beans and lentils, dark leafy greens, and other healthy foods can also be used to treat anemia without the risk of side effects.
Iron supplements can be taken once a day for at least 30 days. After that, you can either continue taking them or reduce the dosage and monitor your symptoms over the next few weeks!
Those who really have a low iron count can take several weeks of consistent iron supplementation to bring their levels back up to a healthy amount. As always, it is best to consult your doctor before beginning any kind of supplement regimen!
Conclusion
Iron supplements can be used to treat anemia. Foods high in iron like beans and lentils, dark leafy greens, and other healthy foods can also be used to treat anemia without the risk of side effects.
Iron supplements can be taken once a day for at least 30 days. After that, you can either continue taking them or reduce the dosage and monitor your symptoms over the next few weeks!
Those who really have a low iron count can take several weeks of consistent iron supplementation to bring their levels back up to a healthy amount. As always, it is best to consult your doctor before beginning any kind of supplement regimen!
