Whoever has felt weak, faint or drained out of energy is aware of the detrimental effects low iron levels can have to one’s body. Iron is after all one of the fundamental elements for maintain a healthy body and support physical and mental growth.
Although the exact process of absorption are somewhat unclear, most scientists tend to believe that incorporating vitamin C with iron consumption has very positive effects. The human body is capable of metabolising and absorbing around 5% of the iron consumed through normal diet.
You will be happy to find out that it isn’t only for the traditionally unpleasant foods that contain iron as lentils and spinach, but iron can also be found in chocolate 2.5mg per 100 grams or a 5-10% of the average daily requirement.
Anaemia being the most widespread everyday nutritional problems is predominantly a direct outcome of iron deficiency with women the more severely affected. Women lose more iron that men do due to loss of blood during their menstrual cycles. The amount of lost blood, which can range between 30-60ml for every cycle, results in the loss of 15-30mg of iron from the body.
While the body is drained out of iron, it strives to increase the metabolism rate for breaking down and absorbing the iron. The lack of iron combined with the body’s struggle to maintain healthy levels is what causes the symptoms of unjustifiable fatigue and vertigo.
Author: Lucy Walker
Lucy Walker is a journalist, author and health living enthusiast who has been involved with health writing since 2014.
