Iron is needed by the body in large quantities. Without iron, the body cannot make red blood cells that transport oxygenated blood back to the heart to help it with burning off fat. A deficiency of iron can also lead to anemia or poor health because it prevents hemoglobin from carrying oxygenated blood back to the heart. The blood vessels may become weak and the heart’s pumping ability may decrease. Other signs of an iron deficiency include pale skin and pale nails, as well as fatigue, headaches, lack of appetite, swollen ankles, constipation, poor memory, slow thinking, and blurred vision.
Some common ways to improve iron deficiency are through a diet rich in iron-rich foods like whole grains, soybeans, and fresh vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, yellow squash, and sweet potatoes. There are also a few supplements that can be taken to help with absorption rates of iron and zinc. If the diet does not contain enough iron for a person’s needs, an individual may need to take supplemental iron, which can be in the form of pills, drops, or capsules.
Some of the best forms of iron supplements include ferrous citrate, ferrous oxide, ferric protoxide, ferric oxide, ferricyanide, ferric thioglycolate, ferrous sulfate, ferrous oxalate, ferrous potassium, ferrous selenide, and ferric oxide. Another option available is to take iron supplements in a pill form or through eating certain foods. There are also dietary supplements that work to boost the body’s production of hemoglobin, another factor that carries oxygenated blood back to the heart.
These are just a couple of ways to improve iron deficiency. For those that suffer from anemia due to a medical condition or a diet that does not contain enough iron, a supplement may be needed to increase the amount of iron absorbed by the body. Some medications can also affect the amount of iron absorbed. It is important to talk to your doctor if you have a history of any of these conditions to help determine which ways to improve iron deficiency might be right for you. Discuss the options with your doctor to find the best treatment plan for you.
Iron deficiency can lead to a number of problems that are very serious and so it is important to make sure that you do not go untreated. Many products are now available on the market to ensure that you get all of the iron you need.
