Hemoglobin in the red blood cells carries oxygen from your lungs to transport it throughout your body and iron is an important component of haemoglobin. So the major reason why our body needs iron is because it helps to transport oxygen in the body. It has other functions like maintaining healthy cells, skin, hair, and nails.
Foods containing iron and its deficiency
Foods that contain iron are spinach, legumes, pumpkin seeds, quinova, red meat, poultry, liver and organ meats. Low iron levels are common and can, if left untreated, progress into iron deficiency anemia (IDA). This can cause tiredness, shortness of breath, difficulty in concentrating, frequent bouts of illness, difficulty in regulating body temperature or often feeling cold, pale skin, heart palpitations, and headaches.
Iron supplements
Taking iron supplements in the absence of iron depletion is dangerous. Unlike other supplements or vitamins, the body does not regulate iron homeostasis well and the excess iron cannot be excreted from the body. Excess iron can lead to damage to a range of organs including the liver, skin and pancreas, and it may also be related to cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Side effects of iron supplements are constipation, dark stools, stomach pain, nausea, and, vomiting. It seems confusing that absorbing more iron could lead to fatigue. For children, iron overdose can be toxic. Symptoms of iron poisoning include severe vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dehydration, and bloody stool. Simply put, Iron supplements should only be taken under medical supervision and when a diagnosis of iron deficiency has been made.
A simple way to maintain iron levels
Cooking in a cast iron vessel once a week and consuming that food will maintain the body’s iron requirement. There are two things to be taken care of. One is, make sure there is no rust in the vessel. If you see rust, scrub and wash thoroughly before cooking. Secondly, after you cook (especially if the dish contains acidic components like tomatoes), transfer it to another vessel immediately.
These are the beauties in my kitchen, which I use routinely.
References:
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/features/iron-supplements#1
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