Iron Deficiency Anemia; Causes, Symptoms, and Supplements

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia. It appears when our body doesn’t have enough iron which is needed for the production of hemoglobin. When there isn’t enough iron in the blood, the rest of our body can’t get enough amount of oxygen it needs. Because hemoglobin will not be formed that transports the oxygen to different tissues of the body and keeps us energetic.

What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia?

At first, mild symptoms of iron deficiency anemia are shown by the patients such as tiredness and fatigue. However, moderate to severe symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia include;

•    Dizziness 

•    Cold hands and feet

•    Pale skin

•    Weakness

•    Shortness of breath

•    Tongue swelling 

•    Brittle nails

•    Tingling of hands and feet 

•    Headaches

•    Strange cravings to eat unhealthy foods 

What are the causes of iron deficiency anemia?

1.    Inadequate intake of Iron 

If we eat less amount of iron-rich foods over a longer period, it can cause severe iron deficiency in the body. Foods such as meat, and some green leafy vegetables are high in iron. Pregnant women and young children may need even more iron-rich foods in their diet than the general public.

2.    Pregnancy or blood loss due to menstruation

Heavy menstrual bleeding is a common cause of iron deficiency anemia in women. During pregnancy, the iron requirement increases in the body because it is essential for healthy red blood cell production. Iron, along with other nutrients contributes to the rapid growth and development of the baby. The mother provides these nutrients to the baby. So, it’s crucial that the mother should have optimal nutrition status to fulfill the nutrient needs of herself and the baby as well.

3.    Internal bleeding

In certain medical conditions, internal bleeding occurs such as in stomach ulcers and intestinal cancer which can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. 

4.    Malabsorption of Iron 

Although we have a good intake of iron, the deficiency of other vitamins such as vitamin C can affect the absorption of iron in the body. Because vitamin C helps with the better absorption of iron. So, it is good to take vitamin C food sources along with iron to make sure its good absorption in the body.  

However, certain digestive disorders such as celiac disease can also cause iron deficiency. Because, in this condition, the lining of the stomach gets damaged which affects the digestion and absorption of nutrients in the body.

How to prevent iron-deficiency anemia?

Iron-deficiency anemia can be minimized if we focus on its causes such as blood loss, or problems with iron absorption that can lead to this condition.  For that purpose, it is always a good idea to help the body keep iron levels where they need to be by maintaining a healthy diet that includes good sources of iron and vitamin C.

Good sources of iron include beans, dried fruits, lean and red meat, salmon, iron-fortified bread and cereals, peas, and dark green leafy vegetables. Vitamin C-rich foods such as oranges, strawberries, and tomatoes help the body absorb iron.

But in some cases, it becomes so difficult to fulfill the recommended iron requirements from dietary sources only due to malabsorption and malnutrition. In that case, it is highly needed to add iron supplements to the diet. As children and women are more likely to suffer from iron deficiency, they are highly encouraged to add this supplement to avoid iron deficiency.

Dietary Supplements

Nutrifactor offers premium quality iron supplements to every age group in the form of syrup and capsules. These contain gentle iron which has a high absorption rate in the body due to its free form. Vitamin C is also present in this supplement to maximize iron absorption in the body.

Fero Syrup is a dietary supplement, designed to provide the recommended amount of gentle iron to people. It helps in the formation of hemoglobin which carries oxygen to all the cells of the human body. It also aids in the production of red blood cells in the body. The children of 3-12 years, and adults, both men and women can take this supplement for the better iron levels in the body. 

Nutrifactor’s Fero supplement is in the form of capsules. It aids to fulfil iron deficiency, also helps in muscles and brain functions, and supports a strong immune system. Vitamin C in the Fero helps in the absorption of iron to boost its availability in the blood. Vitamin B12 and Folic acid are also present in it to boost energy, hence reducing fatigue and weakness.

References: 

•    https://www.healthline.com/health/iron-deficiency-anemia#complications

•    https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/iron-deficiency-anaemia/

•    https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/anemia/iron-deficiency-anemia

•    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hemorrhoids/symptoms-causes/syc-20360268#