Iron is a mineral that the body needs to produce red blood cells. When the body does not get enough iron, it can't produce the number of normal red blood cells needed to keep you in good health. This condition is called iron deficiency - iron shortage or iron deficiency anemia.
Although many people in the USA get enough iron from their diet, some must take additional amounts to meet their needs. For example, iron is sometimes lost with slow or small amounts of bleeding in the body that you would not be aware of and which can only be detected by your family doctor. Your family doctor can determine if you have an iron deficiency, what is causing the deficiency, and if an iron supplement is necessary.
Lack of iron may lead to unusual tiredness, shortness of breath, a decrease in physical performance and learning problems in child and adults and may increase your risk of getting an infection.
Some conditions may increase your need for iron. These include:
In addition, infants, especially those receiving breast milk or low-iron formulas, may need additional iron.
Increased need for iron supplements must be determined by your health care professional.
Injectable iron is aplaying only by or under the supervision of your health care professional. Other forms of iron are available without a prescription; however, your health care professional may have special instructions on the How to Use and dose for your condition.
Iron supplements are available in the following dosage forms:
Iron is found in the diet in two forms heme iron, which is well absorbed, and nonheme iron, which is poorly absorbed. The best dietary source of absorbable - heme iron is lean red meat. Chicken, turkey and fish are also sources of iron, but they contain less than red meat. Cereals, beans and some vegetables contain poorly absorbed - nonheme iron. Foods rich in vitamin C - citrus fruits and fresh vegetables, eaten with small amounts of heme iron-containing foods, such as meat, may increase the amount of nonheme iron absorbed from cereals, beans and other vegetables. Some foods - milk, eggs, spinach, fiber-containing, coffee, tea may decrease the amount of nonheme iron absorbed from foods. Additional iron may be added to food from cooking in iron pots.
The daily amount of iron needed is defined in few various ways.
Normal daily recommended intakes in milligrams - mg for iron are generally defined as follows - Note that the RDA and RNI are expressed as an actual amount of iron, which is referred to as “elemental”" iron. The product form " ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous sulfate " has a various strength:
| Infants and children Birth to 3 years of age | 4 to 6 years of age | 7 to 10 years of age | Adolescent and adult males | Adolescent and adult females | Pregnant females | Breast-feeding females |
Capsagel Maximum Strength Cardizem SR Cardura CareNate 600 CareNate 600 Carimune |