Iron is a mineral that's crucial for the body. It plays a role in everything from oxygen transport to energy production, but not all types of iron can fulfill this function equally. In fact, some types of iron can even be harmful to our bodies. Let's get into what exactly this mineral is and why it's so important — both for your diet and overall health!
What is iron?
Iron is a mineral that's essential for your body to function properly. It helps to carry oxygen around the body and make red blood cells, which carry oxygen from your lungs to all the cells in your body.
Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, which causes you to feel tired all the time and have difficulty concentrating. If you have anemia, it means there's not enough iron in your blood. This can be caused by losing blood (like during menstruation or childbirth), not eating enough foods that contain iron or not absorbing enough iron from the food you eat
Why is iron important?
Iron is a mineral that helps your body produce red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of your body. It also helps your body deliver oxygen to all parts of your body and make energy, store and use carbohydrates, fat, and protein; heal wounds; fight off infections; form hormones and collagen (a protein found in connective tissue); protect itself against free radicals (unstable molecules produced by normal cell activity).
In addition to helping with these functions in the body:
- Digestion - Iron assists with digestion because it is needed for enzymes needed for breaking down food in the stomach. If you don't have enough iron then this can lead to poor absorption of nutrients from food which may result in lacklustre energy levels throughout the day as well as tiredness after meals due to lack of energy being released into circulation during digestion processes.*
How do you get enough iron in your diet?
There are several ways to get enough iron in your diet. Red meat, poultry, fish, and eggs are good sources of iron. Fortified cereals and bread can also help you meet your daily intake goal. Spinach, beans, lentils, and dried fruits are other great options for increasing the amount of iron in your diet.
Iron-fortified cereal is another simple way to get more iron into your meals without having to add anything extra! You may also want to try out some dark chocolate (with at least 70% cocoa) which contains small amounts of naturally occurring iron along with other nutrients such as magnesium and zinc - all things needed for healthy brain function!
If you're looking for even more options on where else you can find this essential mineral then check out these foods: tuna; chicken breast; turkey breast (look out though because there are only about 2 milligrams per 100 grams); red meat such as beef brisket or chuck roast which contains up too 40 milligrams per 100 grams depending on the cut type
Can you get too much iron?
Can you get too much iron? Yes, it's possible to overdo it on the mineral. Too much iron can be toxic to your body and lead to organ failure, heart failure, and even death.
In addition to the symptoms above (nausea and vomiting), other signs of excess iron include:
- Increased thirst and frequent urination (you may also notice dark-colored urine)
- Pale skin color
- Fatigue or weakness
How can you prevent excess iron from building up in your body? There are several steps you can take:
Are there any foods that contain more or less of the mineral?
- Beef and pork
- Eggs
- Dried fruit, beans, and lentils (legumes) such as chickpeas, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, lentils, lima beans, and soybeans
- Dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale
- Shellfish including clams; oysters; mussels; scallops; shrimp/prawns
Peanuts are also good sources of iron but they should be eaten in moderation because they contain high levels of fat. Cashews contain more fiber than other nuts so eating them regularly may help to lower cholesterol levels in the body. Prunes are dried plums that contain high levels of antioxidants - these work together with vitamin C found naturally within the fruit to improve the absorption of iron from other foods consumed alongside them (such as oats). Canned tuna fish contains twice as much vitamin B12 compared with regular canned tuna fish so consider switching brands if you want more B12 without changing what type of fish you eat regularly at home! Raisins also contain high amounts of potassium which helps regulate blood pressure levels when eaten regularly over time due to its ability to reduce sodium absorption into cells while increasing potassium excretion through urine output."
Iron is crucial for your body, but it's important to get the right amount.
Iron is an essential mineral that's necessary for healthy blood and red blood cells. It helps your body produce energy, helps with growth and development, and helps make proteins. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, a condition characterized by low levels of hemoglobin--a molecule found in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body.
Some people have an iron deficiency because they don't eat enough iron-rich foods (meat, fish, beans) or they don't absorb enough iron from their food due to a digestive disorder like celiac disease or lactose intolerance--or even something as simple as not eating breakfast! If you suspect you're deficient in this vital nutrient but aren't sure how much more you need from your diet alone (and why), check out our handy guide below:
Conclusion
Iron is an essential mineral that plays a role in many of your body's functions. It helps with blood flow, energy production, and oxygen transport, which means that you need it to stay healthy. But taking too much or too little can be harmful--so make sure to get enough iron from food sources like beef liver or spinach while avoiding supplements unless prescribed by a doctor!
