Iron

What Iron is good for: Making hemoglobin in blood and myoglobin in muscle, which supply oxygen to cells.

Where you get Iron: Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, whole and enriched grains, and green leafy vegetables.

The best food sources of easily absorbed iron are animal products, which contain heme iron. Iron from vegetables, fruits, grains and supplements (non-heme iron) is harder for the body to absorb. If you mix some lean meat, fish, or poultry with beans or dark leafy greens at a meal, you can improve absorption of vegetable sources of iron up to three times. Foods rich in vitamin C also increase iron absorption.

Iron Supplements

Iron supplementation is indicated when diet alone cannot restore deficient iron levels to normal within an acceptable timeframe. Supplements are especially important when an individual is experiencing clinical symptoms of iron deficiency anemia. The goals of providing oral iron supplements are to supply sufficient iron to restore normal storage levels of iron and to replenish hemoglobin deficits.

There are several forms of iron supplements so as to choose one that suits your individual needs:

  • Easy Iron Dietary Supplement --  Doctor Approved. Vitabase Easy Iron is a highly absorbable iron supplement that is easy on your stomach. Our iron comes from Albion Labs. Studies show that Albion's patented Ferrous Bis-Glycinate is better absorbed than other forms of supplemental iron and is easy on the digestive tract. We also include Vitamin B-12 and Folic acid in our formula to help optimize the benefits of iron
  • Energizing Iron -- Energizing Iron™ is a source of nutrients to support the body's need for iron, vitamin B12, and trace minerals. Produced from beef liver obtained from animals raised in Argentina, Energizing Iron contains no chemical sprays, pesticides, or antibiotics from livestock feed.
  • Ultimate Iron -- Ultimate Iron® replaces iron loss for vital energy and stamina. Its synergistic blend is also known to increase absorption and promote healthy red blood cells.
  • Iron Sorb -- IronSorb™ contains Iron Protein Succinylate (IPS), an iron complex that is specially prepared to reduce irritation of the stomach in comparison to other forms of iron. IPS is gentle to the stomach because it dissolves in the intestine.
  • Every Womans Iron Support Every Woman's Iron Support -- Every Woman's Iron Support tablets contain iron that is delivered along with synergistic vitamins into the blood. Every Woman's Iron Support tablets are cultured in organic soy, which creates the minerals and vitamins in their finest cultured form.

Iron in Food

Some foods decrease iron absorption. Commercial black or pekoe teas contain substances that bind to iron so it cannot be used by the body.

Consider the amount absorbable iron in a food, not just the total iron content. Iron sources that have high iron availability include the following:

  • Oysters
  • Liver
  • Lean red meat (especially beef)
  • Poultry, dark red meat
  • Tuna
  • Salmon
  • Iron-fortified cerelas
  • Dried beans
  • Whole grans
  • Eggs (especially egg yolks)
  • Dried fruits
  • Dark leafy green vegetables
  • Reasonable amounts of iron are also found in lamb, pork, and shellfish.

Non-heme iron is found in the following:

Whole Grains

  • Wheat
  • Millet
  • Oats
  • Brown Rice

Legumes

  • Lima Beans
  • Soybeans
  • Dried beans and peas
  • Kidney beans

Seeds

  • Almonds
  • Brazil Nuts

Dried Fruits

  • Prunes
  • Raisins
  • Apricots

Vegetables

Quick Iron Quiz: True or False: Women and men need equal amounts of iron.

Answer: False first, true later. (Say what?)
Because iron accumulates in the blood, men need less than premenopausal women. Men should consume 8 milligrams daily; premenopausal women need 18. (One in five women and half of all pregnant women are iron deficient.) After menopause, women need only 8 milligrams, equaling the male need.

Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency is uncommon among adult men and postmenopausal women. These individuals should only take iron supplements when prescribed by a physician because of their greater risk of iron overload. Iron overload is a condition in which excess iron is found in the blood and stored in organs such as the liver and heart. Iron overload is associated with several genetic diseases.

Note: Iron supplements even in small amounts can be toxic to young children. Keep iron and multivitamins with iron out of reach.

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Disclaimer: The herbal and health information provided in this Web Site is intended as information only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Nothing listed within this Web Site should be considered as medical advice for dealing with a given problem. You should consult your health care professional for individual guidance for specific health problems. Persons with serious medical conditions should always seek professional care.