How Low Iron Levels Can Lead to Health Problems
In order for our bodies to grow and replenish, we need a variety of nutrients and minerals. One such mineral is iron. Iron is an essential mineral needed to keep ourselves healthy. It can help with many processes in the body: the most important one being oxygen transport. An iron deficiency, if left untreated, can have serious effects on the body. Generally, women are more likely to have an iron deficiency than men, as adult women should have a daily intake of 18mg of iron, compared to adult men that only need about 8mg. Additionally, pregnant women need even more than 18mg of iron. A pregnant woman should have a daily intake of about 27 mg of iron that will help in the growth of a healthy baby and for a safe pregnancy.
Once iron is introduced in the body, it is mainly used to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein found within our red blood cells that is responsible for carrying oxygen. Interestingly, hemoglobin is also why oxygenated blood is a rich, red color. Because hemoglobin contains iron, oxygen is able to bind to the surface of the protein, which is how oxygen flows throughout the body. The more oxygen attached to hemoglobin, the redder your blood will be. If you have ever wondered why your veins give a bluish tint when blood is supposed to be red, here is why: as previously mentioned, the more oxygen attached to hemoglobin, the redder your blood is. The blueish tint you see in your veins is due to that fact that your veins are carrying deoxygenated blood, meaning that there is not much oxygen attached to the hemoglobin in your red blood cells. This deoxygenated blood is making its way back to your lungs to receive more oxygen and gain that rich, red color again.
Because hemoglobin takes up about two-thirds of the iron in your body, an iron deficiency will have a big effect on the amount of oxygen delivered throughout your body. If you experience fatigue, even if you had a full night's rest, light-headness from standing up too quickly, or if something like walking up the stairs makes you dizzy, you may have a slight iron deficiency. This is simply because you do not have enough oxygen circulating your body. A daily iron supplement could help tremendously. However, there are serious health problems that could arise from a long-term, iron-deficient lifestyle. For example, if iron deficiency is left untreated, one could develop heart problems. Because your body isn’t getting enough iron to produce hemoglobin, it has to work harder to deliver the lessened amount of oxygenated blood. As a result, your heart will work harder to pump this oxygenated blood to the rest of your body, and as a result, it can start to develop a rapid or irregular heartbeat. Having an irregular heartbeat is very dangerous, as this can lead to heart failure. Having a severe iron deficiency during pregnancy can also be very dangerous. An iron-deficient body can cause a premature birth, which is dangerous for both mother and child. Moreover, in children, an iron deficiency can halt physical growth.
Ultimately, iron plays a very crucial role in our wellbeing. It is important to take a daily vitamin that contains an adequate supply of iron. Additionally, a healthy diet can give the daily supply of iron needed to keep you feeling strong and able. Foods rich in iron include, but are not limited to, red meat, dark green, leafy vegetables such as spinach, seafood, and beans. With vitamins and a healthy diet, one can provide their body with the iron needed to make hemoglobin to have a healthy amount of oxygen flowing throughout the body.
References:
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/features/iron-supplements#1
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-biology2/chapter/transport-of-oxygen-in-the-blood/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355034
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355034
