5 health benefits of iron tablets

By Simply Supplements

If you are feeling weak or fatigued, experiencing an unexplained loss of appetite or light-headedness when standing, then you may be suffering from low iron levels.

Iron is an essential trace mineral that plays a vital role in many different functions within the body. Although it is only required in trace amounts, its presence is vital for the healthy functioning of the body. Taking iron tablets as an individual supplement or as part of a multivitamin may help to boost general health and wellbeing.

Iron and its function in the body

1. Blood formation and making new cells – Iron plays a vital role on the formation of healthy blood cells.

2. Transportation of oxygen – Two-thirds of the body’s iron is stored in the haemoglobin. This is the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen to organs and tissues around the body. All cells require a steady supply of oxygen to perform efficiently.

3. Energy production – Iron plays a role in the conversion of glucose to energy. When iron levels are low, less oxygen is being delivered around the body. This often results in fatigue and sluggishness.

4. Muscle function – Iron is found in myoglobin, a muscle protein that helps to transfer oxygen from haemoglobin to muscle cells throughout the body. This supports healthy muscle function and contraction.

5. Brain function – It is thought that the brain uses around 20% of the oxygen in the bloodstream. Therefore a continual supply of oxygen by healthy haemoglobin is essential for healthy brain function.

Symptoms of an iron deficiency

Those suffering from low iron levels may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Iron-deficiency anaemia (according to WHO this is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the world)
• Small baby during pregnancy
• Loss of appetite
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or headache
• Enhanced sensitivity to cold temperatures, including cold hands and feet
• Pale and brittle nails
• Cracks at the side of the mouth
• Frequent infections, especially in children.

Who is most at risk of an iron deficiency?

There are certain lifestyle factors and age groups that can increase your risk of iron deficiency. If you are in one of the following groups then you may want to consider taking an iron supplement:

• People who consume a poor diet
• Children (due to periods of rapid growth)
• Women of childbearing age (due to iron lost during each menstrual cycle)
• Women during pregnancy and lactation
• Athletes and others who take part in regular high-intensity exercise
• Those who follow vegan, vegetarian or restricted diets
• People with gastrointestinal disorders
• Mature adults over the age of 65 years old

How much iron should I take?

A regular daily supply, whether from the diet or iron supplements, can help to normalise iron levels in the bloodstream. Everyone can benefit from taking a daily dose of iron through a balanced multivitamin. If you are in one of the high risk categories above, then you may find an individual iron supplement to be beneficial. The recommended daily allowance of iron for healthy adults in the UK is around 14mg. Taking over 30mg daily may cause constipation, nausea and stomach cramps. 

At Simply Supplements each of our Iron 14mg tablets contain 100% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA). These small round iron tablets have been designed for fast and easy absorption into the body. Plus, all of our products are manufactured within pharmaceutical grade facilities to meet GMP standards. More.

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