Diet - iron; Ferric acid; Ferrous acid; Ferritin DefinitionIron is a mineral found in every cell of the body. Iron is considered an essential mineral because it is needed to make hemoglobin, a part of blood cells. The body cannot make it, so it must be taken in with the food we eat. FunctionThe human body needs iron to make the oxygen-carrying proteins hemoglobin and myoglobin. Hemoglobin is found in red blood cells. Myoglobin is found in muscles. Food SourcesThe best sources of iron include:
Reasonable amounts of iron are also found in lamb, pork, and shellfish. Iron from vegetables, fruits, grains, and supplements is harder for the body to absorb. Plant sources include: Dried fruits:
Legumes:
Seeds:
Vegetables:
Whole grains:
If you mix some lean meat, fish, or poultry with beans or dark leafy greens at a meal, you can improve absorption of vegetable sources of iron up to three times. Foods rich in vitamin C (such as citrus, strawberries, tomatoes, and potatoes) also increase iron absorption. Cooking foods in a cast-iron skillet can also help to increase the amount of iron provided. Some foods reduce iron absorption. For example, commercial black or pekoe teas contain substances that bind to dietary iron so it cannot be used by the body. Side EffectsLOW IRON LEVEL The human body stores some iron to replace any that is lost. However, a low iron level over a long period of time can lead to iron deficiency anemia. Symptoms include lack of energy, shortness of breath, headache, irritability, dizziness, or weight loss. Physical signs of lack of iron are a pale tongue and spoon-shaped nails. Those at risk for a low iron level include:
Babies and young children are at risk for a low iron level if they do not get the right foods. Babies moving to solid foods should eat iron-rich foods. Infants are born with enough iron to last about six months. An infant's extra iron needs are met by breast milk. Infants who are not breastfed should be given an iron supplement or iron-fortified infant formula. Children between age 1 and 4 grow fast. This uses up iron in the body. Children of this age should be given iron-fortified foods or an iron supplement. Milk is a very poor source of iron. Children who drink large quantities of milk and avoid other foods may develop "milk anemia." The recommended milk intake is 2 to 3 cups (480 to 720 milliliters) per day for toddlers. TOO MUCH IRON The genetic disorder called hemochromatosis affects the body's ability to control how much iron is absorbed. This leads to too much iron in the body. Treatment consists of a low-iron diet, no iron supplements, and phlebotomy (blood removal) on a regular basis. It is unlikely that a person would take too much iron. However, children can sometimes develop iron poisoning by swallowing too many iron supplement pills or liquid. Symptoms of iron poisoning include:
RecommendationsDosages for iron, as well as other nutrients, are provided in the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) developed by the Food and Nutrition Board at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. DRI is a term for a set of reference intakes that are used to plan and assess the nutrient intakes of healthy people. These values, which vary by age and sex, include:
Dietary Reference Intakes for iron: Infants and children
*AI or Adequate Intake Males (RDA)
Females (RDA)
Women who are pregnant or producing breast milk may need different amounts of iron. Ask your health care provider what is right for you. ReferencesMason JB, Booth SL. Vitamins, trace minerals, and other micronutrients. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 205. Maqbool A, Parks EP, Shaikhkhalil A, Panganiban J, Mitchell JA, Stallings VA. Nutritional requirements. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 55. National Institutes of Health website. Iron: fact sheet for health professionals. ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/. Updated April 5, 2022. Accessed February 21, 2023. | ||
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Review Date: 1/19/2023 Reviewed By: Stefania Manetti, RD/N, CDCES, RYT200, My Vita Sana LLC - Nourish and heal through food, San Jose, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. View References The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. | ||
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Iron supplements
