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 collectively?
Yes.
Women are vulnerable to developing iron-deficiency because we menstruate and lose blood monthly.
And, if you experience prolonged and heavy menstrual bleeding, or a short menstrual cycle with a frequent period, you have a higher risk of developing low-iron levels too.
In pregnancy, iron-deficiency is common because the volume of blood in our body increases by as much as 50 percent to support us and our growing baby, or babies.
This is why, if we want to support our wellbeing, we have to ensure we're getting enough iron-rich foods in our daily diets, or through natural supplements.
Keep reading to learn how!
Why is iron so important?
Iron is an essential mineral our body uses to make hemoglobin and myoglobin, which are proteins that deliver oxygen to our muscles, organs and whole body.
The body also needs iron to make some hormones.
The daily recommended intake of iron is 18mg for women. And during pregnancy, the number increases to 27 mg.
It's not until women reach menapause and when we stop having periods that our daily iron recommendation drops to as low as 8 mg.
What are signs and symptoms of low iron levels?
From what I've seen over the years working with a number of women, signs and symptoms of iron-deficiency include a combination of the following:
- Low energy and fatigue
- A rapid heartbeat
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Sore or swollen tongue
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Cold hands and feet
- Brittle nails
- Poor appetite
- Craving ice, paper or clay
- And frequent infections
What causes iron deficiency or anemia?
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 a nutrient you can only get from food, and it comes in two forms: heme iron and non-heme iron.
Heme iron, the most easily absorbed, comes from animal sources like red meat, fish, and poultry. Your body can absorb about 30 percent of this type of iron 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 your iron levels:
- Red meat
- Organ meats
- Lamb
- Chicken
- Tofu
- Beans, Lentils
- Dandelion greens
- Collard greens
- Spinach
- Sweet potatoes
- Peas
When you combine food sources rich in heme and non-heme 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.
Herbs that assist in increasing your iron levels:
Supplementing with herbs that contain iron to improve your iron levels is a smart nutrition choice.
- Sarsaparilla root
- Chlorella algae
- Yellow dock
- Burdock root
My most effective supplement in the apothecary for this is the Iron Support supplement that's formulated with BOTH heme and non-heme iron (animal sourced and herbal), making it highly effective and advantageous.
I recommend women take these herbs during their bleed time, pregnancy and throughout the month if need be.
If you're pregnant you can pair Iron Support with the Prenatal & Beyond supplement. I formulate these specifically to help with your body's increased iron demands for pregancy, childbirth, postpartum and breastfeeding.
Hope this was informative and helpful for you!
Iron deficiency can cause unpleasant symptoms that affect your quality of life. Prioritize consuming enough iron-rich foods and hebs to support your overall well-being.
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.
If you are 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 or the iron-rich foods that I shared and supplementing with the Iron Support supplement.
Love and Health,
Shavonne