IRON & TIBC Tips

Iron is a vital mineral for the well-being of the body. It forms a major component of haemoglobin present in red blood cells, which is responsible for transport oxygen throughout the body. Iron deficiency is most common among menstruating and pregnant women. Almost 30% of menstruating women become iron-deficient from the monthly blood loss, and more than 42% of the pregnant population suffers from major iron deficiency.

What is dietary iron?

There are two types of dietary iron:

Heme iron- This form of iron is easily absorbed by the body and is only found in animal protein like red meat.
Non-heme iron- Although this type of iron can be sourced from both animal and plant foods, it is not absorbed as easily by the body.
What happens due to Iron Deficiency?

Iron deficiency causes anaemia where the red blood cells become deficient in haemoglobin and cannot carry sufficient volumes of oxygen.

Its main symptoms are-

Generalized tiredness
Weakness
Shortness of breath
Paleness of skin
Deteriorating immune system
Impaired brain function
What are the Sources of Iron?

Including these rich sources of iron can help you battle iron deficiency-

Red meat- In moderate amounts, red meat is one of the richest sources of iron and has other health benefits contrary to popular belief.
Liver- Meat liver is another rich source of iron and 80 grams of liver in the diet can alone fulfill half the daily iron requirements of the body.
Shellfish- Including seafood with shells such as clams, mussels, and oysters also form an excellent way to include heme iron in the diet.
Beans- Kidney beans are moderately rich in their iron content.
Seeds- Including edible seeds like pumpkin, squash, and sesame seeds are a good way to include iron in the diet.
Dark green vegetables- Green vegetables like spinach, broccoli, and kale are rich dietary iron of the non-heme variety.
Vitamin C is an important factor to ensure the proper absorption of iron in the body. Therefore, one must ensure to include rich sources of Vitamin C in the diet to overcome and prevent iron deficiency. Include foods that are rich in Vitamin C like oranges and other citrus fruits, bell peppers to maximize the iron absorptionin the body.
Iron deficiency is among the most common nutrient deficiencies and affects more than 25% of people in the world. Because of rich deposits of heme iron in animal-based food products, it is more common among vegetarians and vegans.

Iron - Know More About It!

For the growth and development of children, they need an essential nutrient; Iron. It helps in the transfer of oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues. Red blood cells contain iron in the hemoglobin. The hemoglobin carries oxygen in the blood to the different parts of the body. Iron has an important role to play in the development of the brain and generating energy in a child's body. The lack of sufficient iron in the child's body can lead to anemia, which is a nutritional deficient illness and will require medical attention. When a child suffers from anemia, the lack of oxygen makes a child weak and sick.

There are certain symptoms of Iron deficiency in a child's body. These are:

Infections and a weak immune system can make a child suffer from frequent infections.
Lethargy and fatigue is another common symptom of an iron-deficient body. Due to deficiency of Iron, it is difficult for the body to transport oxygen to cells in the body and hence it unable to generate enough energy levels.
Breathlessness and increased sweating can be a sign that your child may be suffering from iron deficiency.
Pica Children suffering from iron deficiency may find a special taste for non-food substances like chalk, dirt and clay.
Lack of iron in the body hampers the physical growth of a child.
The deficiency of iron in children can be diagnosed through blood tests. Your doctor may recommend supplementing iron content orally or through multivitamin medicines. But the deficiency of Iron in a child's body should be taken care of with absolute urgency.

Proper steps should be taken to prevent the deficiency of Iron in children. Those notable precautions are mentioned below:

Balanced diet: A well-balanced diet is always recommended. For older children (within 9-12 years of age), red meat, chicken and fish would suffice as good sources of iron.
Oral iron supplements: Oral iron supplements would be required for children with low weight at birth and who have a deficiency of iron in their daily diet.
Vitamin C: Foods such as strawberries, tomatoes and potatoes help in providing sufficient iron content when included in daily diets, thus reducing the chances of anemia.

Anemia is a medical condition in which the red blood cell count or hemoglobin is less than normal. Haemoglobin is the main part of red blood cells and it binds oxygen. If you have few or abnormal red blood cells, or your hemoglobin is low, the cells in your body will not get enough oxygen. Anemia can last temporarily or for a long-term, and it can range from mild to severe. If you suspect you have anemia, see your doctor immediately because it can be a warning sign of a serious illness. A person who has anemia is called anemic.

Sign and symptoms of anemia: Because a low blood cell count decreases oxygen delivery to every tissue in the body, anemia can cause a variety of signs and symptoms. It can also worsen the state of any other underlying medical condition. If anemia is mild, it may not cause any symptoms. If anemia is chronic, the body may adapt and compensate for the change. In this case, there may not be any symptoms until anemia becomes more severe. Anemia signs and symptoms may vary depending on the cause of the condition. These may include fatigue, weakness, pale or yellowish skin, irregular heartbeats, breathlessness, dizziness, chest pain, cold hands and feet, and headache.

Causes of anemia: Anemia occurs when your body doesn t have enough red blood cells. This can happen if:

Your body doesn t make enough red blood cells: The bone marrow is essential for the creation of red blood cells. A number of diseases can affect the bone marrow, including leukemia, where too many abnormal white blood cells are produced. This disrupts the normal production of red blood cells.
Bleeding causes you to lose red blood cells more quickly than they can be replaced: Iron deficient anemia is the most common type of anemia which often falls into this category. It is caused by a shortage of iron, which most often results due to blood loss. Blood loss can be acute and rapid or chronic. Rapid blood loss can happen at the time of surgery, childbirth, trauma, or a ruptured blood vessel.
Your body destroys red blood cells: Red blood cells have a lifespan of 120 days in the bloodstream but they can be destroyed or removed beforehand. In one type of anemia, the body s immune system mistakenly identifies its own red blood cells as a foreign substance and attacks them. Excessive red blood cell breakdown can also occur due to infections, the use of certain drugs, snake or spider venom, severe hypertension, and in the case of clotting disorders.
Treatment of anemia: The treatment of anemia varies greatly. First, the underlying cause of anemia needs to be identified and corrected. Most of the times, iron supplements will be needed to correct iron deficiency. In severe anemia, blood transfusions may be necessary. Vitamin B12 injections are necessary in some cases who are suffering from a specific type of anemia.

Prevention of anemia: Many types of anemia can t be prevented. But iron deficient anemia and vitamin deficient anemia can be avoided by having a diet that includes a variety of vitamins and nutrients, including iron, folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin C.

Symptoms Of Iron Deficiency!

Iron is an essential nutrient and mineral that is required by adults and children alike. Iron helps move oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and helps muscles store and use oxygen. It is especially important for children because it aids development and prevents anaemia. Untreated iron deficiency in children can cause physical and mental delays. It can lead to less healthy red blood cells in the child's blood stream which will cause a delay in the growth of physical and mental faculties.

Risk factors for iron deficiency in children

Infants and children at highest risk of iron deficiency include:

Babies who are born prematurely or have a low birth weight
Babies who drink cow's milk before age 1
Breast-fed babies who aren't given complementary foods containing iron after age 6 months
Babies who drink formula that isn't fortified with iron
Children ages 1 to 5 who drink more than 24 ounces (710 milliliters) of cow's milk, goat's milk or soy milk a day
Children who have certain health conditions, such as chronic infections or restricted diets
Children ages 1 to 5 who have been exposed to lead
Adolescent girls also are at higher risk of iron deficiency because their bodies lose iron during menstruation.
Symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia

The signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia in children may include:

Pale skin
Fatigue or weakness
Slow cognitive and social development
Inflammation of the tongue
Difficulty maintaining body temperature
Increased likelihood of infections
Unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances, such as ice, dirt or pure starch
Prevent iron deficiency in children

Take steps to prevent iron deficiency in your child by paying attention to his or her diet. For example:

Breast-feed or use iron-fortified formula. Breast-feeding until your child is age 1 is recommended. If you don't breast-feed, use iron-fortified infant formula.
Encourage a balanced diet. When you begin serving your baby solids, typically between ages 4 months and 6 months, feed him or her foods with added iron, such as iron-fortified baby cereal. For older children, good sources of iron include red meat, chicken, fish, beans and dark green leafy vegetables. Between ages 1 and 5, don't allow your child to drink more than 24 ounces (710 milliliters) of milk a day.
Enhance absorption. Vitamin C helps promote the absorption of dietary iron. You can help your child absorb iron by offering foods rich in vitamin C, such as melon, strawberries, kiwi, broccoli, tomatoes and potatoes.
Consider iron supplements. If your baby was born prematurely or with a low birth weight or you're breast-feeding a baby older than 4 months and he or she isn't eating two or more servings a day of iron-rich foods, talk to your child's doctor about oral iron supplements.
Make sure that you watch out for the tell tale signs of iron deficiency and take the necessary precautions to avoid the same. If you wish to discuss about any specific child related problem, you can consult a specilized pediatrician and ask a free question.

Anemia is a condition where the red blood cell count is reduced due to deficiencies within the system. This is usually caused by a lack of iron, folate and other related nutrients in the diet. Anemia is a major public health concern in India as over 50 percent of women are known to be anemic. This pushes up the mortality rate of young mothers and even children.

Some symptoms of Iron deficiency anemia
Anemia has a wide range of symptoms which varies from person to person. However there are some general symptoms which can be noticed in most people. Some of these are:

1. Pale appearance of skin - Many people exhibit this symptom where their skin appears to be pale as there is a reduced amount of oxy - hemoglobin in the skin.
2. Physical weakness, light headedness and fatigue - This is a general symptom, which many tend to suffer from and complain about. Fatigue and weakness may come in very quickly even with the slightest effort.
3. Hair loss - Many women may complain about hair loss due to Iron deficiency anemia.

Some other symptoms are -
a. Breathlessness
b. Constipation
c. Missed or irregular periods
d. Numbness or burning sensations
e. Depression
f. Tinnitus among others

Causes of Iron deficiency anemia
The primary cause of Iron deficiency anemia is the lack of iron in the diet which causes the hemoglobin in the blood to be reduced. Some of the patients may still have Iron deficiencyanemia as they have developed gastrointestinal disorders which prevents the absorption of nutrients like iron within the body.

How to treat Iron deficiency anemia

Diet related anemia can be easily cured or controlled with changing diets. Inclusion of certain foods within the diet can easily reverse the Iron deficiencies. Some of the food items that help with deficiencies are:
1. Fortified cereals
2. Green dark leafy vegetables
3. Poultry items
4. Eggs
5. Meat
You may also require certain iron supplements if you have certain underlying conditions which is causing issues with iron absorption.

How to prevent Iron deficiency anemia

It is important, especially for women to go for regular checkups to your doctor and also a hemoglobin check up. Your doctor or dietician can tell you to include certain foods in your diet that include folate, iron and vitamin B 12 so that the level of hemoglobin in your blood can be maintained at healthy levels.

Hemoglobin is a protein which transports oxygen to every cell of the body. It is formed by globulin chain molecules, wherein adults have two alpha-globulin chains and two beta-globulin chains and infants or babies have two alpha chains and two gamma chains. The gamma globulin chains transform into beta chains as the development in the baby occurs.

How can you improve your hemoglobin level?
Following are the most effective measures to improve hemoglobin level:

Iron is necessary for hemoglobin production and red cell production. Thereby, intake of food which contains iron in excess amount needs to be taken, such as shellfish, beef, broccoli, tofu, spinach, green beans, cabbage, dates, beetroot, almonds, oysters, asparagus etc.
Folate is also very important for hemoglobin production. It produces heme portion of RBC s. Thereby, the intake of foods which are a rich source of folate should be incorporated, such as beef, spinach, black-eyed peas, avocado, lettuce, rice, kidney beans, peanuts etc.
Intake of vitamin C should be increased in cases of vitamin C deficiency as it helps in iron absorption from the stomach. Foods which are rich in vitamin C like papaya, oranges, lemon, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, grapefruit, tomatoes, and spinach should be included in your diet. Also, you can take vitamin C supplements as per your doctor s advice.
Regular intake of some fruits in the diet will also help you to increase the hemoglobin. Foods such as pomegranate, apple, watermelon will help in to improve hemoglobin count as they are a rich source of iron.
Doing regular exercise will also help to improve hemoglobin and red blood cell counts. While exercising your body needs more amount of oxygen, and in order to compensate that body increases the production of red blood cells.
Do not take calcium supplements along with iron supplements as calcium hampers absorption of the iron, and also avoid taking calcium-rich food.
All types of Legumes are best to plant foods, enriched with iron. Legumes, such as soy nuts, red kidney beans, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, black beans, lentils, fava beans should be incorporated in the diet.
Avoid intake of drinks which blocks iron absorption, and slow down its absorption like tea, coffee, cola drinks, wine, and beer. Excessive intake of all these drinks ultimately leads to low hemoglobin level.
Drink nettle tea. Nettle is a herb which is a good source of iron, vitamin C and helps in raising hemoglobin level.
Eat pumpkin seeds daily as their intake not only improves iron production, but also provides omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc.
Increase the intake of iron-rich foods during, and after a menstrual period as a large amount of iron is lost during menstruation.
Regular intake of iron and folate supplements only in deficient cases is the best way to improve your hemoglobin level. But it should be taken under doctor s advice.

For the growth and development of children, they need an essential nutrient; Iron. It helps in the transfer of oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues.

Red blood cells contain iron in the haemoglobin. The haemoglobin carries oxygen in the blood to the different parts of the body. Iron has an important role to play in the development of the brain and generating energy in a child's body. The lack of sufficient iron in the child's body can lead to anaemia, which is a nutritional deficient illness and will require medical attention. When a child suffers from anaemia, the lack of oxygen makes a child weak and sick.

There are certain symptoms of Iron deficiency in a child's body. These are:

Infections and a weak immune system can make a child suffer from frequent infections.
Lethargy and fatigue are the other common symptom of an iron deficient body. Due to deficiency of Iron, it becomes difficult for the body to transport oxygen to cells and hence, it fails to generate enough energy levels.
Breathlessness and increased sweating can be a sign that your child may be suffering from iron deficiency.
Pica Children suffering from iron deficiency may find a special taste for non-food substances like chalk, dirt and clay.
Lack of iron in the body hampers the physical growth of a child.
The deficiency of iron in children can be diagnosed through blood tests. Your doctor may recommend supplementing iron content orally or through multivitamin medicines. But the deficiency of Iron in a child's body should be taken care of with absolute urgency.

Proper steps should be taken to prevent the deficiency of Iron in children. Those notable precautions are mentioned below:

Balanced diet: A well-balanced diet is always recommended. For older children (within 9-12 years of age), red meat, chicken and fish would suffice as good sources of iron.
Oral iron supplements: Oral iron supplements would be required for children with low weight at birth and who have a deficiency of iron in their daily diet.
Vitamin C: Foods such as strawberries, tomatoes and potatoes help in providing sufficient iron content when included in daily diets, thus, reducing the chances of anaemia.

Iron is definitely one of the most important ingredients and nutrients that we require. Most of the health problems in the world are caused due to iron deficiency, including low immunity and anaemia, among many others. The lack of iron can lead to a variety of development delays and can also affect the haemoglobin levels in the blood which gives rise to symptoms like dizzy spells and fatigue.

So what are the underrated facts about iron that we need to know? Read on to know more!

Transport of Oxygen: Iron is credited with the transport of oxygen within the human body. It is a well-known fact that all the cells, atoms and tissues in our body need oxygen in order to grow and maintain livelihood. The red blood cells in our body are a good source of this oxygen as they contain an iron rich protein called haemoglobin. This element is what takes the oxygen which is later released in a more targeted manner. While two grams of oxygen can exist in the cells at any given point, this supply can diminish if the dietary iron intake reduces which can lead to a condition called anaemia.
Production of Energy: Iron is also an element that helps in the metabolism which has great implications for the various organs and muscles of the human body. The cells of our body are known to burn these calories in the diet so as to create energy which activates these organs. If the iron resources become low in these cells, then the process does not take place in a proper manner, which can lead to symptoms like fatigue before the organ functionality gets compromised.
Iron Rich Food: The kind of foods and materials contain iron include legumes, lentils, fish, tofu, seafood, pork, soybeans, liver, green vegetables like spinach and ladies fingers, raisings, strawberries, and other fortified food like cereals. It is a well-known fact that plant foods tend to contain lower levels of iron as compared to animal foods like red meat. Also, there are many spices that are rich in iron including cumin and cardamom, which can be used on a daily basis to pepper your salads and stir fry preparations.
Cooking and Storage: Iron usually gets sucked out of food when the food is cooked for long or processed and packaged under highly intense condition or with excessive salt additives. Also, when you cook plant sources too much, then the iron can escape by way of the water that it leaves which evaporates.
Find out a good way to bring iron into your diet, but remember that too much of iron can also lead to toxicity.