| Iron is an important element for your body to | | | | brain. Iron deficiency in infants can result in |
| utilize in hemoglobin, which transports oxygen in | | | | behavior problems and impaired learning ability. |
| your blood to all the parts of your body. It's also | | | | Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional |
| necessary for many metabolic reactions in your | | | | problem worldwide. It has been stated by |
| body. Iron deficiency and the resulting anemia is | | | | researchers that two-thirds of children and |
| the most widespread mineral deficiency. | | | | women of child-bearing age in third-world countries |
| Iron is needed for your body to form the red | | | | suffer from a lack of iron. And one third of the |
| pigment in your blood, also known as hemoglobin. | | | | people in those areas suffer from severe iron |
| The iron within your hemoglobin combines with | | | | deficiency and anemia. |
| oxygen and takes it throughout your whole body, | | | | If you are a vegetarian, you will not get iron from |
| its organs and its tissues. The average human | | | | meat, which is a usual source of haem. In plant |
| body contains between 3.5 and 4.5 grams of iron, | | | | foods, you will find only non-haem iron. This iron is |
| and two-thirds of that is in your hemoglobin. The | | | | harder to absorb, so more plant foods must be |
| rest of your iron is stored in your bone marrow, | | | | eaten to take in proper amounts of iron. |
| spleen and liver. A very small amount is also | | | | The rate at which your body can absorb iron |
| stored in myoglobin, which stores oxygen in the | | | | from vegetables is also influenced by the other |
| tissue of your muscles. | | | | things you may eat with your meals. Phosphates |
| If your body is deficient in its stores of iron, it can | | | | in plant foods can inhibit the rate of absorption, as |
| lead to anemia. If the iron stores become | | | | can the tannin that is often found in tea. Fiber |
| depleted, then your synthesis of hemoglobin can | | | | may also inhibit iron absorption. |
| be inhibited. Symptoms of anemia include pallor, | | | | Vitamin C helps your body to absorb plant-type |
| loss of appetite, insomnia, headaches, | | | | iron. These include leafy green vegetables, green |
| breathlessness, lack of stamina and tiredness. All | | | | peppers and citrus fruits. Alcohol, amino acids, |
| of these symptoms are associated with a | | | | sugars and citric acid also helps your body better |
| lowered oxygen supply to your organs and | | | | absorb iron. |
| tissues. Iron is also important to your immune | | | | Some of the better foods high in iron for |
| system, so people with low levels of iron have a | | | | vegetarians include dried fruits, kidney beans, |
| lower resistance to infection. | | | | lentils, blackstrap molasses, leafy green vegetables |
| Research has also shown that low levels of iron | | | | and whole grain flours and cereals. |
| can be associated with impaired function of the | | | | |