An Important Supplement

If you feel pooped and exhausted all the time, as well as lack concentration, you probably need to take an iron supplement with caution. Your doctor can verify your iron deficiency and prescribe an iron supplement that could help restore your energy.

Iron is a part of hemoglobin which is the protein in red blood cells, carrying oxygen throughout your body. Women are particularly at risk of iron deficiency anemia, particularly those who lose iron in the course of menstruation, more so when they do not eat meat.

Lack of iron can cause premature or low birth-weight babies. It can also cause learning disabilities in babies and toddlers. It doesn’t mean that when you feel run down that you should decide on taking an iron supplement. There are many reasons why you may feel the way you do. The cause may be stress, diabetes or heart disease. At the same, be aware, that an excess of iron can be dangerous.

Prior to taking an iron supplement, it is advisable to see your doctor, or a pediatrician in the event your child is anemic. In most cases, if you are diagnosed with iron deficiency, your doctor will prescribe iron supplements. The quantity and duration depends on the severity of your problem. Remember, iron supplements are best absorbed on an empty stomach.

Iron supplements can cause nausea. If you experience an attack of nausea on an empty stomach, try taking these with food, combined with vitamin C, as it helps boost the absorption of iron. If the problem persists, you may want to get your doctor’s advice as to how to combat nausea before taking the supplement.

Additionally, you can prevent a recurrence of iron deficiency by eating lean beef, legumes, fortified cereals and other iron-rich foods. Premenopausal women should take a multivitamin that contains 100 percent of the Daily Value or iron.