I lack iron, what to do? | iron deficiency

A general fatigue that lasts, a lack of energy and muscular strength: and if you suffer from a lack of iron? Even without anemia, this decrease can disrupt the functioning of your body. Find out how to fix it to your usual shape.

Iron is an essential mineral for our body. It helps to make red blood cells and contributes to the transport of oxygen by hemoglobin. A healthy adult man needs a daily intake of 10 to 15 mg iron. For a woman, this need is higher before menopause because their iron requirements are increased during menstruation, during pregnancy and during breastfeeding .

But children and adolescents in full growth or often sick, elderly or chronically afflicted, and high-level athletes also have an interest in being monitored. In case of insufficient reserves (characterized by a low ferritin level below 20 ng / ml), anemia is at risk , ie an abnormal decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood. A real health problem that can lead to lasting fatigue, decreased immune defenses, but also in pregnant women, low weight in a newborn and  a risk of premature birth  without forgetting the risk of heart problems in the elderly . Iron deficiency is therefore a phenomenon not to be neglected!

FATIGUE IS A WARNING SIGN

Fatigue and even total exhaustion are the main symptoms. In addition, there are other signs: hair loss, paleness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, unusual shortness of breath while climbing stairs, lack of energy, poor wound healing. See palpitations or respiratory distress in case of severe anemia.

Anemia can be caused by a lack of iron supply: for example, people who do not eat enough animal or vegetable proteins may be deficient in iron. It may show bleeding. In women, menstruation is the leading cause of anemia, but it may also be a small but continuous bleeding such as a polyp on the intestine or a stomach ulcer.

ENRICH YOUR IRON SUPPLY

It is the easiest remedy: increasing your intake of foods rich in iron often allows you to regain your energy. Red meat (black pudding, liver, lamb), fish and seafood (oysters, clams), eggs are preferred. Those who reject meat will turn to vegetables (especially pulses or legumes): spinach, salsify, endives, aubergines, soybeans, white beans, lentils, chickpeas ...

Do not forget tofu or micro-algae, such as spirulina , the most important source of iron from the plant kingdom. Not to mention cereals (wheat, millet) and whole grain foods (whole rice, wholemeal bread etc.). Beware, dairy products, tea and coffee, decrease the assimilation of iron: limit them. Consume fruits because vitamin C favors, on the contrary, its absorption.

SMALL MEANS OF RECHARGING IRON

By homeopathy : You can take Ferrum Metallicum 5 or 9 CH (5 granules a day for 2 months) to fight fatigue and other symptoms. If iron deficiency results from blood loss, opt for China Rubra 9 CH (5 granules per day for a month, without forgetting to increase the iron intake in the diet in parallel) Abundance of the rules responsible for this deficiency (wearing of copper IUD): Arnica 9 CH, 5 granules 3 times a day during menstruation.

With a dietary supplement : Iron-based food supplements are available in pharmacies or organic, over-the-counter stores, in the form of capsules, tablets or in liquid form, they must be taken for a month or two. No more because the excess iron is not good either. But it is also possible to choose vegetable and fruit juice concentrates that are better tolerated by the body.

In case of severe deficiency,  see your doctor for medication.