Anyone looking to dramatically and easily improve their overall health and wellness would be wise to consider adding an iron supplement to their diet.
A common problem
Although few people ever think about their iron intake, assuming eating enough leafy greens or taking a multivitamin will suffice, iron deficiency is the most common nutritional shortfall globally, including in the United States, where it is estimated that 1 in 5 people need more iron to function properly. This holds true across all age ranges and physical conditions, from senior citizens to infants to performance athletes, but most notably this is the case for women of childbearing age.
Why your iron levels matter
Without sufficient iron, the body cannot produce enough hemoglobin — the substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen to tissues and organs, which can impact nearly every system in the body, even leading to death in the cases of extreme anemia. Iron deficiency can also exacerbate many health conditions, especially cardiac, pulmonary and circulatory problems, and it plays a critical role in conditions like restless leg syndrome, ADD/ADHD, celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease.
That said, the symptoms of less severe iron deficiency can be harder to pinpoint. They include:
- Tiredness or lethargy
- Weakness
- Irregular heartbeat or shortness of breath
- Headache, dizziness, lightheadedness
- Unusual food cravings and appetite changes
- Appearance issues like thinning hair, pallor, dark circles, or brittle nails
- Behavioral issues like excitability, inability to focus, or irritability, especially in children
Choose Wisely
Adding an iron supplement is an easy way to address a host of pressing issues, but buyer beware — not all iron supplements are created equal. Even those who know they need iron may not take supplements because they are notoriously bad-tasting and can cause significant gastrointestinal distress, essentially trading one problem for another. The supplement market is also largely unregulated, resulting in many companies producing inferior products or making unsubstantiated claims about the effectiveness of their products.
So how can you find the best supplement for you and your family? The short answer is to ignore the marketing hype and trust medicine. Follow your doctors’ advice and look for an iron supplement that has been clinically proven to be safe, effective and well-tolerated in all age groups.
From enhancing your appearance and providing an immune system boost to giving you the stamina and focus you need to complete tasks with confidence, adding an iron supplement is one of the best ways to improve your overall health and well-being.
Published March 13, 2024
