Iron Deficiency
“Without enough iron, your body can’t produce enough of a substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen (hemoglobin). As a result, iron deficiency anemia may leave you tired and short of breath.” – Mayo Clinic
The symptoms of iron deficiency (anemia) are:
– Fatigue, lack of energy, headaches, weakness, dizziness
– Difficulty to concentrate (children)
– Learning and behavioral problems (children)
– Pale or yellow skin, brittle nails, tongue looks redder or cracks on the side of the mouth, swollen or sore
– Poor appetite or craving to eat non-food items like ice, dirt, paint or starch (children)
– Shortness of breath, fast heart rate, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat
– Cold feet and hands, hair loss, restless legs syndrome
A child who is not getting enough iron can have learning or behavioral problems, since iron is important for energy, muscle function and brain development.
The 3 stages of iron deficiency are:
– Stage1: Diminished total-body iron content. This stage is identified by a reduction in serum ferritin.
– Stage2: Reduced red blood cell formation
– Stage3: Iron deficiency anemia
How can I boost my iron levels naturally, with foods?
Foods high in iron include:
– beans, grains (plant-based iron comes from grains like barley, brown rice), vegetables
– Miso is a fermented food made by combining soybeans with various ingredients such as rice, barley, wheat, white rice, sea salt, water and a bacterial agent known a koji. Miso is extremely beneficial from a health point of view. It also helps in the discharge of toxins from the body. It is high in protein, calcium, iron and vitamin B, making it an essential food in every macrobiotic kitchen.
– lentils, pumpkin and squash seeds, leafy greens especially spinach
– tofu
– seafood such as clams, sardines, shrimp, oysters, salmon, tuna, halibut
– red meats and organ meats like liver, but heavy meats are not recommended
What causes poor absorption of iron?
In most cases, intestinal dysbiosis and other intestinal inflammations, and our bodies do not get enough nutrients due to improper diet and eating habits.
Conditions like celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease can make it harder for your intestines to absorb iron. Surgery such as gastric bypass that removes part of your intestines, and medicines used to lower stomach acid can also affect your body’s ability to absorb iron.
What is the natural solution to iron deficiency?
Since iron deficiency is in most cases caused by absorption problems, one of the best alternatives for treating anemia is to introduce the amount of elemental iron in the form of an organic liquid. The latest research results clinically confirm the use of Fulvic-acid based food supplements, which contain nutrients in a nature-identical and elemental organic form. Dr. Kontos Essential Iron Drops are Fulvic-acid based, water-soluble and instantly absorbed by the body.
