Dealing with Low Iron Levels? Learn How To Support Your Iron Levels Naturally
Did you know that iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies that women experience as a whole?
Yes, especially during our menstruating and childbearing years.
Why are women vulnerable to iron-deficiency?
Women are vulnerable to developing iron-deficiency because we menstruate and loss blood monthly. Our period is an easy way to loss our iron stores.
However, even more, if you're a woman experiencing prolonged and heavy menstrual bleeding, or a short menstrual cycle with a frequent period you're at an even higher risk of developing low iron levels.
This is true for pregnant women too. Iron-deficiency is common in pregnant women because when pregnant the volume of blood in our body increases by as much as fifty percent to support us and our growing baby, or babies.
This is why, if we want to support our wellbeing, we need to make sure to get enough iron-rich foods in our daily diets or through natural supplements.
Keep reading to learn how.
Why do I need Iron?
Iron is an essential mineral that your body uses to make hemoglobin and myoglobin which are proteins that deliver oxygen to your muscles and body.
Your body also needs iron to make some hormones.
The daily recommended intake of iron is 18mg for women, with pregnancy increasing that need to 27 mg. When women enter the stage of menapause, when menstruation ceases, women's daily iron recommendation drops to as low as 8 mg.
What are signs and symptoms of low iron levels?
Some common signs and symptoms of iron-deficiency include:
- Low ferritin levels
- Extreme fatigue
- Tiredness and low energy
- Weakness
- Chest pain
- Fast heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Sore or swollen tongue
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Cold hands and feet
- Brittle nails
- Poor appetite
- Craving and chewing ice, paper or clay
- And even frequent infections
What causes iron deficiency or anemia?
Common causes of iron deficiency is poor nutrition and restrictive diets like vegetarian and veganism, impaired gut health affecting proper nutrient absorption, inflammatory bowel disease, increased mineral requirements during pregnancy, blood loss while menstruating and through heavy or prolonged bleeding, and internal bleeding.
How can I support my iron levels naturally?
Iron is an important nutrient that you can only get from food, and it comes in two forms: heme iron and nonheme iron.
Heme iron, the most easily absorbed, comes from animal sources like red meat, fish, and poultry, and your body can absorb about 30 % of it at any time.
Non-heme iron, comes from plant-based sources like vegetables, fruits, and nuts. This type of iron isn't absorbed as readily, with about 2 to 10 % absorbed at any time.
Foods that assist in increasing iron levels are:
- Red meat
- Chicken
- Fish, shellfish
- Organ meats
- Tofu
- Beans and lentils
- Spinach
- Sweet potatoes
- Peas
- Broccoli
- Dandelion greens
- Collards
When you combine food sources rich in heme and nonheme iron, you can better absorb each type. Eating foods rich in vitamins C, A, and beta-carotene can also help you to absorb more iron and gain additional health benefits.
Blood building and iron supporting herbs
You can use herbs to increase and maintain your iron levels naturally. Here are some of my most effective products in the apothecary to support your iron levels and help build your blood. My Iron Support capsules actually contain heme and non-heme iron.
Replenishing your iron levels is super important while you are menstruating, so I recommend taking these herbs during your bleed time and throughout the month if you need.
If you're pregnant I recommend my:
I formulate these specifically to help with your body's increased iron demands for pregancy, childbirth, postpartum and breastfeeding.
In Summary...
Make sure you are consuming enough iron to support your overall well-being. Iron deficiency can cause unpleasant symptoms that affect your quality of life.
If your iron levels are low this is why you feel tired, weak, exhausted, have brain fog or headaches, get light-headed and have trouble concentrating. Because enough iron isn't available for you to sustain your body's energy requirements and low-oxygen levels in your blood.
If you're not sure whether or not you have low iron levels, a simple blood test will confirm whether you have iron-deficiency or anemia. If your doctor or health care provider confirms you have iron deficiency you can treat it fairly easily by eating more iron-rich foods and supplementing with Iron Support Extract or Iron Support Capsules.
Be Well and Take Care,
Shavonne