DID YOU KNOW…

26% of all women are iron deficient or anemic. Anemia is the most common blood disorder in the United States.

Background Information

When you are deficient in iron, your body cannot make sufficient amounts of hemoglobin, the oxygen carrying, key component of your red blood cells. There are two stages when there is a shortage of iron in the body, first iron deficiency and then anemia. Both are very common because iron is one of the most poorly absorbed minerals.

The main symptom of iron deficiency is FATIGUE. With anemia, this symptom deteriorates to exhaustion. Other symptoms of iron deficiency may include a pale complexion, finger nail ridges, dry brittle hair, dizziness, poor concentration and unsettled sleep patterns. Additional consequences of anemia include impaired physical endurance, work capacity, infant growth and development, as well as depressed immune functioning. Twenty-six percent of women are iron deficient or anemic.

In general, women are at greater risk of iron deficiency anemia than men. That is because women lose blood — and with it, iron — each month during menstruation. Iron deficiency is the leading cause of fatigue among women.

It is also important to note that once pregnant, a woman’s body needs twice the recommended amount of iron intake because a growing fetus can deplete the mother’s store of iron. Basically ANYONE, young or old, whose diet is consistently low in iron and vitamins is at risk of anemia.

Nutritional note: Vitamin C plays a vital role in iron absorption in your body.