Are you at Risk?

Most people who suffer from iron deficiency simply aren’t getting enough iron in their diets. Other causes might include an increased iron requirement in their bodies, loss of blood or a poor iron absorption rate in the digestive system. The people most at risk of iron deficiency are athletes, menstruating women, pregnant women, vegetarians or other people who don’t eat meat and the elderly.

If you’re an athlete, you need a lot of oxygen to fulfil your energy requirements and keep your muscles functioning under intense pressure. Menstruating women lose blood each month and iron is necessary to replace the lost blood cells. Pregnancy is also a time for concern as the growing child requires its own share of iron. Meat is a good source of iron, so if you don’t eat meat for whatever reason then you are also at a higher risk. The elderly also often struggle with diets that aren’t rich enough in iron to suit their bodily needs.

If you start to notice any of the typical symptoms of iron deficiency like fatigue, headaches, nausea or more, it’s important to speak to a medical professional as soon as possible. They will be able to perform blood tests to determine your iron levels and help you feel better.