Symptoms of iron deficiency
Iron deficiency is a common issue and the most common nutritional deficiency present in humans. Often affecting children, and above all adolescents and premenopausal women. Therefore, today, let’s discuss some symptoms of iron deficiency.
Iron is an essential mineral that plays an important role in the metabolism, and similarly reproduction and maturation of cells.
Moreover, iron helps to produce hemoglobin, which in turn affects the red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body.
In other words, without iron, every organ in the body malfunctions, causing unwanted problems.
5 Symptoms of iron deficiency
Fatigue, feeling of weakness
Above all iron deficiency results in a reduced supply of oxygen to the body’s tissues. Therefore, it causes a strong feeling of weakness and fatigue.
Pale skin
Hemoglobin is responsible for the red color of blood. When there is enough hemoglobin, one’s skin has a pink color that exudes health. In other words, in cases of iron deficiency, the skin color becomes grayish in tone.
Hair loss
Oxidative stress and genetic factors contribute to hair loss, but it seems that iron deficiency also contributes to hair loss in both men and women.
Headache
The brain has high energy requirements for oxygen and for this reason most of the available oxygen is channeled there by the cells.
Therefore, when there is a lack of iron, the amount of oxygen isn’t enough to meet the needs of the brain which often causes migraines and headaches.
Tachycardia or arrhythmias
Similarly, iron deficiency can affect heart function due to reduced oxygen supply, leading to arrhythmias or tachycardia.
The signs of iron deficiency
Iron deficiency can cause:
- Hormonal imbalances for instance
- Similarly anemia
- Tachycardia
- Chronic fatigue
- Breathing difficulty
- Muscular weakness
- Insomnia
- Weight changes
- Cough
- Lack of concentration
- Pain in the mouth or tongue
- Changes in mood
- Hair loss
In addition let’s take a look at people who need more iron in their diet:
- Such as women with heavy menstruation
- Teenagers
- Above all – pregnant and breastfeeding
- Vegetarians and vegans
- People with gastrointestinal diseases
- Professional athletes
Food rich in iron:
- Liver
- Red meat
- Fish
- Mussels
- Legumes
- Dried fruits and nuts,
- Sesame seeds
- Oatmeal
- Rye bread
- Vegetables such as spinach, beets, artichokes
In conclusion, side effects of common iron supplements intake
Common iron supplements often aren’t easily absorbed by the body, and sometimes cause several side effects such as:
- Constipation
- Motion sickness
- Burns
- Gases
- Inflation
- Symptoms of iron deficiency
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Giorgos Thalassis
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