The mineral Iron is a vital part of our nutrition as our body needs it to carry oxygen to the blood. Certain natural foods provide the best source of this vital mineral for the quickest and most efficient absorption.
Since Iron is often so important, many people choose to use daily multi vitamins or supplements to ensure they get enough iron in the body. However, that’s not the best way. The best way is to just get the iron needed through food intake. Let’s discuss some natural food sources of Iron and its relationship to our body.
If you are pregnant, iron is vital to you and your baby’s good health. Even if you have sufficient iron levels in your body, often additional iron is recommended to help cover the needs of the fetus. Athletic women that require strenuous use of muscles, need plenty of oxygen to the muscle tissue to perform at their peak levels in training and competition. Eating iron-rich foods is a way to ensure you are getting the amounts of this mineral you really need to stay at your best.
Iron’s use in the body. Iron’s has several roles that keep us healthy, full of energy, and productive. Pregnant women require the highest levels of iron, with women who are athletes coming in at a close second. Iron assists the hemoglobin protein found in our blood to deliver oxygen to our muscle tissue and our brain. Other benefits include playing a role in keeping our immune system healthy for warding off disease, keeping our body temperature regulated, aids in food digestion, the ability to stay focused, and the level of energy needed to perform well in day to day activities.
Iron deficiency. Iron deficiency creates an unbalanced body condition that leads to problems with your health. Anemia is caused by a lack of sufficient iron levels in the blood. Symptoms of Anemia include tiredness, muscle soreness, pale skin color, lack of breath, and a racing heartbeat. You may lack color in your lips as well as your gums. The unusual feeling of anxiety can overcome you without an obvious cause or reason. An increased heavy change in a woman’s menstrual flow is another warning sign of iron deficiency. Because of the lack of oxygen to the brain, headaches can occur up to and including migraines with frequency. Another tale-tell sign is a swollen or smooth tongue causing difficulty with talking, chewing, and swallowing that becomes a functional problem. Lack of iron can be revealed if you begin to experience restless leg syndrome. Increased hair loss and brittle nails with slow growth is another indication you should eat more iron providing foods.
Common iron rich foods. Common iron-rich foods are readily available at your local grocery store. Are you a fan of dark chocolate? How about canned clams? You are in luck as these foods are great sources for iron. Cooked oysters, white beans, beef liver, and firm tofu can be added to the list. Lean ground beef, cooked spinach, baked potatoes would make a meal of iron-rich food. Cooked lentils, stewed tomatoes, and cooked chickpeas would make a hearty soup or stew full of needed iron. Even a snack of roasted cashew nuts will help boost iron levels. Start your day with an oat fortified cereal that will provide with an iron healthy kick-start.
Benefits of iron rich foods. The benefits of iron-rich foods will show in your sharp mental focus as well as your energy endurance. Pregnant women can be assured they are aiding a full term pregnancy by eating an iron-rich diet assisting the baby to have a good weight gain while being carried. Keeping your immune system strong cuts down on the impact of infection and disease. Vitamin C can help the body absorb iron while calcium can slow absorption. To aid the absorption of iron, it is wise to curtail drinking coffee and tea. Even a vegetable-rich diet can inhibit the iron from being absorbed into the blood. Natural iron-rich recipes are available for vegetarians to ensure the body is getting the proper levels of iron that it needs to function in a strong, balanced way.