Are you getting enough IRON? Hidden signs you need a bit more spinach and steak...

Iron deficiency affects eight in 10 people globally according to the WHO As well as red meat, dried herbs and spices are highly concentrated in iron By Lucy Gornall For Mailonline Published: 13:47, 19 May 2024 | Updated: 13:49, 19 May 2024 e-mail View comments Heart palpitations, brain fog and brittle nails aren't necessarily symptoms you would associate with iron deficiency. But they're among the common signs you're missing this essential nutrient — a condition affecting up to eight in 10 people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization . Iron is vital for transporting oxygen around the body and keeps the immune system healthy, as well as reducing the risk of heart and lung conditions.

'Without sufficient iron, our cells, tissues, and organs cannot function optimally as the body can't make enough healthy red blood cells,' registered clinical dietician Adam Enaz says. And too little can trigger anaemia, a potentially fatal condition if not treated. So how much iron do you really need? How can you check your iron levels? And what are the risks of a deficiency? Here MailOnline explains everything you need to know.

Iron is vital for transporting oxygen around the body and keeps the immune system healthy, as well as reducing the risk of heart and lung conditions How much iron do you need? The recommended daily intake of iron does depend on age, gender, and a range of other factors suc.