Benefits of Iron Supplements

There are so many benefits of Iron Supplements, Iron is an essential mineral that is necessary for life and has a number of important functions. Iron helps our muscles store and use oxygen, and, as part of the protein hemoglobin, iron helps carry oxygen from our lungs to the rest of our bodies. iron is a key for making of red blood cells, which carry oxygen.

When we don’t have enough iron we may develop  Anemia, which results when the body has too little hemoglobin, and physical symptoms of iron deficiency begin to appear.

Iron deficiency Symptoms

Feeling weak and fatigued

Difficulty maintaining body temperature

Decreased immune function

Decreased work and school performance

Slow cognitive and social development during childhood

An inflamed tongue

For most people, a good diet provides enough iron. Natural food sources of iron include:

• Meat, fish, and poultry
• Vegetables, like spinach, kale, and broccoli
• Dried fruits and nuts
• Beans, lentils, and peas

How much iron should you take?

The recommended dietary allowance includes the iron you get from both the food you eat and any supplements you take.

Category	Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
CHILDREN
7-12 months	11 mg/day
1-3 years	7 mg/day
4-8 years	10 mg/day
9-13 years	8 mg/day
FEMALES
14-18 years	15 mg/day
19-50 years	18 mg/day
51 years and over	8 mg/day
Pregnant	27 mg/day
Breastfeeding	Under 19 years: 10 mg/day 19 years and over: 9 mg/day
MALES
14-18 years	11 mg/day
19 years and up	8 mg/day

Take iron supplements with a full glass of water or food. Strict vegetarians may need to take in higher levels of iron.