Iron is a mineral that’s vital to your health. All of your cells contain some iron, but most of the iron in your body is in your red blood cells. Red blood cells transport oxygen from your lungs to the organs and tissues throughout your body.
Iron has a role in creating energy from nutrients. It also contributes to the transmission of nerve impulses — the signals that coordinate the actions of different parts of your body. If you have more iron than is needed, it’s stored in your body for future use.
The average American gets all the iron they need from the foods they eat. But there are certain situations and conditions that may make it necessary to add supplemental iron to your diet.
Iron deficiency anemia is caused when there’s not enough iron in your red blood cells. Without healthy levels of iron, your red blood cells cannot effectively provide oxygen to your cells and tissues.
Symptoms of anemia include:
- fatigue
- weakness
- dizziness
- difficulty concentrating
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia in the United States. Almost five million Americans have it.
Common causes of anemia include:
- menstruation, particularly if a flow is heavy or prolonged
- peptic ulcer disease
- cancer in the digestive tract
- blood loss from trauma or blood donation
- gastrointestinal bleeding from prolonged use of medications like aspirin and ibuprofen