Everything you need to know about iron deficiency
Iron is an essential mineral that is important for the body's functioning. The body does not produce essential minerals itself, so they must come from external sources. For example, through food (for iron) or sunlight (for vitamin D).
When you have an iron deficiency, it affects your health and can even lead to health problems. In this blog, you will learn more about what an iron deficiency is, what symptoms you may experience, which foods contain iron, and when you might need extra iron.
What is an iron deficiency?
The word itself says it all: you have too little iron in your body. But what are the consequences of this, and what do you need iron for? Among other things, iron is used by your blood cells to transport oxygen. To circulate oxygen in the body, hemoglobin is needed in the cells. To make hemoglobin, the body needs iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid. When there is an iron deficiency, this cannot be produced properly, which affects the oxygen supply in your body. And oxygen is vital for your entire body.
How do you get an iron deficiency?
An iron deficiency can have various causes. For example, if you lose a lot of blood (menstruation, blood donation, or injuries). An iron-poor diet also affects the amount of iron present in the body. This applies, for example, to vegetarians or vegans, whose diet often contains less iron. You can read which foods contain iron a little further down. An increased need for iron can also lead to an iron deficiency. This can be the case with intense exercise or pregnancy.
Which foods contain iron?
Iron is therefore essential for a healthy body and its proper functioning. You get iron through food; the body does not produce it itself. There is a lot of food in which iron can be found. We have listed them for you here:
- red meat
- poultry
- fish
- legumes
- dark leafy greens like spinach & kale
- nuts & seeds
- whole grains
In which cases can you use extra iron?
There is a group of people who have an increased need for iron, such as pregnant women, women with heavy menstruation, vegetarians, and vegans. Before taking iron, it is advisable and important to first check your iron levels with your doctor.
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