Iron is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in the human body. The body requires iron to produce red blood cells and especially, hemoglobin. It is the hemoglobin that transports oxygen from the lungs to the other organs of the body. Iron is also crucial for other body processes like metabolizing food into energy and transmitting signals to and from the brain.
Low levels of iron in the body can cause different health problems, the most serious being anemia.
While we usually get the required iron by eating a balanced diet, at times, the body is unable to absorb the mineral from the food we eat. Iron deficiency can also be attributed to excessive blood loss caused by ulcers, cancer or even heavy menstruation in women. Certain conditions like kidney problems and HIV deplete iron in the body. Pregnant women also need extra iron to supply blood to the growing baby.
Health professionals advise an iron-rich diet (meat, fish, tofu, beans, spinach, nuts, dry fruits, fortified cereals) and prescribe iron supplements to rebuild iron stores in the body. These can be in the form of tablets, capsules, syrups, chewable tablets, extended release tablets, etc.
Benefits
Taking iron supplements on a regular basis will slowly alleviate the symptoms of anemia like fatigue, paleness, dizziness, breathlessness, headaches and heart palpitations. Proper levels of iron will keep the body energized and focused, regulate body temperature and stimulate proper functioning of the gastrointestinal process and immune system. It is also beneficial for people who are aging, people who are on blood thinners and people who have trouble absorbing iron in the body.
Drawbacks
The best iron supplement is also not without its side effects. Some of them include nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, stomach cramps,
The supplements can stain the teeth and cause black stools as well. They are not compatible with certain other medications and health conditions too. Excess iron stores in the body are also believed to increase the risk of diabetes and liver cancer. It can aggravate ulcers and even cause preterm birth in pregnant women. Very high doses of iron can also turn fatal, especially for children.
Furthermore, iron supplements are most effective when taken on an empty stomach. Combining the supplement with vitamin C will improve the iron absorption in the body. Sometimes, people are advised to take iron tablets with a little food to combat the associated side effects. However, certain foods like dairy products, raw vegetables, whole grains and caffeine should not be eaten along with the supplements.
The best way to prevent the iron supplement side effects is to take a supplement that does not contain iron at all! This may sound like an illogical oxymoron, but the revolutionary Iron Catch (www.iron-catch.com) actually make this possible.
What this all-natural supplement does is simply improve the body’s ability to absorb iron. As the body now gets the maximum iron possible from the food, the iron levels increase naturally, safely and quickly, that too sans any of the side effects!
