Supplements Information

Iron Mineral101


Iron is a mineral that is essential to the health and functioning of the body. Deficiencies in iron can have serious consequences for overall health and even energy levels. While iron is important for both sexes, it is of particular importance to women due to biological and reproductive factors. However, world wide, many people do not meet the minimum suggested daily intake of iron resulting in a variety of health problems that range from the mild, which simply increasing the daily iron intake could remedy, to the severe, which often require more complex treatments but could easily have been avoided by sufficient daily iron consumption.

Iron serves several purposes within the body. One of the most important functions of iron in the system is its role is oxygenating the blood. Another essential role of iron is energy metabolism. It is a factor of the neurodevelopment of babies as they grow and develop in the uterus. Iron also serves to promote the important functioning of the body's immune system particularly in the production of the white blood cells essential in fighting infection and disease. Iron is also essential in properly utilizing the B vitamins.

Women, because of their role in reproduction, need to be especially sure that their iron levels are sufficient especially during pregnancy as the healthy growth and development of their babies depends on it. Because of blood loss during menstruation, most women need to take a little extra precaution during that time period to make sure their iron levels stay at recommended levels.

Iron deficiencies can cause a variety of health problems. Anemia is by far the most common and it results in weakness, fatigue and, to the detriment especially of school children, an inability to concentrate properly. Oxygen is one of the most important life giving forces of the body and due to the essential role of iron in seeing to it that oxygen reaches all parts of the body, via the blood, general feelings of health and well-being rely on proper iron levels.

Dietary supplements that include iron, as well as iron enriched foods, play an important role world wide in achieving the recommended daily iron requirements of the human body. However, like any other dietary supplement or medicine, iron supplements must be used properly to be effective and to avoid inducing other serious health problems. Always remember also to couple your iron supplement drinking with ascorbic acid or vitamin C. This is to help the body absorb the iron more quickly.

An overdose of iron in small children can be fatal. Always keep iron supplements and vitamins that contain iron well out of the reach of children. A reminder for parents who wisely make use of a daily multivitamin and iron supplement for their children: if you are using those brightly colored, cartoon character types, always be sure to remind your children that those are powerful medicines and not merely candy. That way if the bottle is accidentally left down and the child does find it, they are less likely to overdose themselves with it and more likely to call it to your attention that you left it in their reach.

Iron is an essential nutrient for some of the body's very important functions and processes. For many years, dietary supplements have been a safe and trusted means of making sure to meet the recommended daily iron intake levels. When used properly, iron supplements are a good choice for helping to keep the body strong and healthy.

Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR'S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.

Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about Vitamins, please go to: http://vitamins.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/


MORE RESOURCES:

The Southern Ledger

Reliever Who Helped Phillies to Title Is Suspended for Failed Drug ...
New York Times, United States - 4 hours ago
Under baseball’s drug-testing program, there is a list of supplements that baseball and the union certify as free of performance-enhancing drugs. ...
MLB: "I didn't mean it" is not a defense Philadelphia Inquirer
Romero, Mitre suspended 50 games each by MLB The Associated Press
Phillies’ Romero argues against his 50-game suspension Kansas City Star
6abc.com - New York Times
all 693 news articles

Vitamins get 'F' in cancer prevention
USA Today - 18 hours ago
Given the popularity of vitamins and other supplements, she says it's important for researchers to find the right combination. Other experts, such as Gann, ...
Antioxidant Supplements Do Not Reduce Cancer Risk Cancer Consultants
Neither Vitamin C or E Associated with Reduced Risk of Prostate ... Kansas City infoZine
Supplements and cancer The Mercury (subscription)
Journal of American Medical Association (subscription) - Toronto Sun
all 24 news articles

Warning issued about diet supplements
ABC7Chicago.com,  USA - 12 hours ago
By John Garcia Consumers are being told to be wary of weight loss products containing the acai berry. The online ads were enough to convince Raquel Acosta ...

Find Bodybuilding Supplements - Tips For Body Building Supplements
Meadow Free Press, ID - Jan 6, 2009
So I'm going to outline my philosophy when it comes to supplements and list a couple of supplements that I use myself and can personally recommend to you ...
2008: A Bad Year for Vitamins Blogcritics.org
Are Vitamins Actually Good For You? WRCB-TV
How Can You Benefit From Alternative Health Supplements? Meadow Free Press
all 4 news articles

Romero suspension 'unfortunate'
Cherry Hill Courier Post, NJ - 8 hours ago
21, three months after Romero's first positive test, warning them of the dangers of three supplements but now denies previously advising that any supplement ...

AAD Says: Supplements, Not Sun, For Vitamin D
Looking Fit, AZ - Jan 5, 2009
However, the AAD stated that it recommends people stimulate vitamin D levels by using nutritional sources and dietary supplements—not from unprotected ...

PR Web (press release)

Warning on online acai berry offers
6abc.com, PA - 18 hours ago
Two of the companies named by the Better Business Bureau are Central Coast Nutraceuticals and FX Supplements. FX Supplements offers a risk-free trial of ...
Better Business Bureau issues a warning about acai berry Fort Worth Star Telegram
Do Your Homework On Companies Selling Acai Berries KDKA
all 6 news articles
home | site map | related links
© 2006