If you have iron-deficiency anaemia, you should take an iron supplement. But here’s an interesting pro-tip I share with my patients: don’t take it every day. A study found that taking an iron supplement every other day can optimise iron absorption – and may mitigate side effects such as nausea and constipation.
Pregnancy can cause low iron levels, but a supplement (and glass of orange juice) can help. Credit: iStock Iron is an essential micronutrient that helps produce healthy red blood cells. People with an iron deficiency often feel exhausted.
Some may find it hard to catch their breath or notice paler skin (though this may be less obvious among those with darker skin tones). Iron deficiency can also lead to a racing heart, headaches and odd cravings, such as for ice, chalk or clay. Loading It’s normal to lose a small amount of the body’s iron stores through the skin or during menses.
But you can develop a health problem called iron-deficiency anaemia (one of several forms of anaemia) if you lose more than you’re absorbing through your diet. Iron-deficiency anaemia is a condition in which red blood cells aren’t able to carry oxygen efficiently to the rest of the body. It is characterised by both low levels of iron and red blood cells and diagnosed with blood tests, including a complete blood count and an iron panel.
Young children, people who have heavy menses or are pregnant, and older people should be particularly vigilant. If you are feeling tired all the t.