The Consequences Of Iron Deficit

Iron deficiency has many negative consequences for our body and it is worth knowing about them. Therefore, in this article we will talk about the main ones.

When levels of this mineral aren’t balanced or “normal”, the body sends out certain signals that we can’t ignore. Look.

How does iron work?

It is a very important mineral for our well-being. Iron is present in red meat, fruits and vegetables.

In our body it is essential to form myoglobin, a protein located in muscle cells. It is also found in enzymes that allow certain chemical reactions. Furthermore, it is used to produce hemoglobin in the bone marrow. This substance carries oxygen within red blood cells.

When a person has an iron deficit, they suffer from a condition known as “ferropenic anemia”: the red blood cells are smaller and don’t have enough hemoglobin.

Iron deficit can occur at any stage of life, but it is more common in women who are breastfeeding or pregnant, in adolescents and in the elderly.

Other reasons to suffer it, for example:

• inadequate diet
• Bowel Diseases or Celiac Disease
• Abnormal menstrual periods
• excessive blood donation

One of the main problems with iron deficiency is that it does not show symptoms until the condition is advanced.

Anemia does not develop overnight, as it progresses and goes through different stages.

To find out if the levels of this mineral are adequate for our age, we must have a blood test called a “complete blood count”.

Consequences of Iron Deficit

Many people have anemia and don’t know it. They believe the symptoms are due to overwork or lack of sleep. However, when they persist in time, we must pay close attention.

As the red blood cells are less healthy and cannot fulfill their functions of carrying oxygen to the cells, the person will feel less energetic and more tired.

When anemia is advanced, different symptoms may appear, which are confused with those of other pathologies or with the current pace of life:

• Fatigue, low energy, drowsiness.
• Paleness, shortness of breath, difficulty exercising.
• Irritability and lack of appetite.
• Vertigo, nausea.
• rapid heartbeat
• Brittle nails, hair loss.

How to treat iron deficit

If anemia levels are high, your doctor may prescribe medications or infections. In case the disease arose from blood loss, some professionals may recommend a transfusion.

However, for mild or normal cases that are detected early through tests, the good news is that it is possible to use natural remedies to improve this condition.

The adequate and necessary amount of iron must be obtained through the diet.

The daily dose of this mineral for men varies between 5 and 10mg. For women it should be higher, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating (at least 15mg per day).

• In the foods in our diet, meat and fish provide a good amount of iron.
• Other sources are fruits and vegetables, cereals, eggs, dairy products and pulses.
• If you suffer from anemia, you should increase your intake of beets, oilseeds, lentils, white beans and wheat germ.

It is also good to know that the body assimilates iron better if it is combined with vitamin C. Therefore, it is recommended to drink orange juice with meals, for example.

The opposite happens when the body receives certain foods such as coffee, tea and soft drinks, especially “cola” ones.

Home Remedies for Anemia

Did you know that the word “anemia” comes from the Greek “alhaima” which means “lack of blood”? In reality, in this condition, what is lacking is iron and red blood cells.

Therefore, as this problem was treated with natural remedies since ancient times, we can use them as a complement to the treatment we are doing.

1. garlic soup

Fights anemia while raising body temperature. Many people with this condition experience cold feet and hands from problems with blood supply to the extremities.

Ingredients

• 6 garlics
• ½ cup of olive oil (100 g)
• 2 slices of crusty bread
• ½ tablespoon of chili (5g)
• 4 cups of water (1 liter)

Preparation

• First, peel the garlic and mash it well.
• Then fry with oil until golden.
• Add the crusty bread and pepper.
• Add water and simmer over a low heat for half an hour.
• Then remove from heat.
• Finally, strain and drink up to two cups a day.

Gentian infusion

This plant has many properties due to its active principles, which favor the absorption of iron.

Therefore, it is recommended for women with heavy periods.

Ingredients

• ½ tablespoon of gentian root (5g)
• 2 cups of water (500ml)
• 1 tablespoon of honey (25g)

Preparation

• First, put the water and gentian in a pot.
• Then boil for five minutes.
• Remove and let stand for five minutes.
• Strain and sweeten with honey.
• Finally, drink half an hour before meals.

3. Chard Beat

This shake also includes other foods full of iron, so it is highly recommended for people with a deficiency of this mineral.

We must consume it fasting, every other day.

• 3 chard leaves
• 2 watercress leaves
• 10 almonds
• 2 tablespoons of oats (20g)
• 1 cup soy milk (250ml)
• The juice of 1 lemon

Preparation

• First, wash the vegetables well. Put them in a blender.
• Then add almonds, oats and soy milk.
• Squeeze the lemon and add its juice.

• Finally, hit it well and drink it straight away.