Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Iron Important For All

Dr. Sandra B. Nichols, Director

Arkansas Department of Health

"Iron is the only nutrient for which women have a higher daily requirement than men."

Many women and toddlers share a condition that neither should have - not enough iron in their blood.

It may be either iron deficiency or the more dangerous iron anemia, which is soemthimes referred to as iron-poor blood. Iron deficiency indicates a lack of adequate iron in the body. Anemia means that the amount of iron in the body is far below the amount needed. Iron deficiency is the most common of all deficiency diseases, both in the U.S. and other countries.

Iron is an essential mineral for our body's functioning. It is necessary for blood to carry oxygen throughout the body. The importance of dietary iron (the kind we get from the food we eat and supplements) has been recognized for centuries. It is written that a physician in Persia (now Turkey), in 4,000 B.C., gave iron supplements to sailors to make up for iron lost from bleeding battle wounds.

With iron deficiency, there may be no symptoms in the beginning, but common signs of advanced iron deficiency anemia can include fatigue, weakness, rapid heartbeat, fainting, unusual quietness or withdrawal in a child, cravings for ice, paint or dirt, susceptibility to infection, and swelling of the tongue.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, iron levels of Americans have improved since the 1960s, when studies showed that up to 64 percent of the public was anemic.

The condition is now less common, but a continuing lack of adequate iron, particularly among women of childbearing years and children, remains a concern. A recent study found that approximately 700,000 toddlers and eight million women in the U.S. have low iron. The study also found that approximately 240,000 toddlers and 3.3 million women have iron deficiency anemia.

Dr. Victoria Akins, assistant professor of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, says iron deficiency anemia is more prevelant than many people realize.

"It is not unusual for patients to come in with the classic symptoms of anemia that are attributed to other factors, most commonly, stress," Dr. Akins said. "Women of childbearing age are at particular risk due to iron poor diet and and menstrual blood loss. Internal bleeding or any type of chronic blood loss can cause iron loss and lead to anemia."

This type of anemia can affect the immune system, bringing on lethary and hampering work performance. The condition can also slow mental development in children. Iron deficiency may impair learning and memory in adolescent girls, according to a study from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore.

Iron is the only nutrient for which women have a higher daily requirement than men (10 milligrams for men, 15 milligrams for women). Pregnant or lactating women usually require increased amounts of iron.

Infants are born with their own iron supply, usually enough to last from four to six months. After that, breast-fed babies should receive iron through solid foods or supplements. Formula-fed infants should receive iron fortified formula from birth through their first year. Children will maintain adequate iron levels if they receive appropriate foods.

Simple blood tests can detect iron deficiency and anemia. If additional iron is needed, your doctor may prescribe supplements, or a diet with iron- rich foods may be recommended. Do not take supplements without checking with your doctor.

Experts say iron from animal protein is better absorbed than the type found in plant foods, although adequate amounts of iron can be consumed with plant foods.

Foods high in iron include beef, baked beans, kidney beans and spinach. Other foods, such as oranges and strawberries, can increase iron absorption. And some foods, such as breakfast cereals, come iron fortified - check the package label.

For more information about low iron treatment or prevention, check with your doctor.