Iron is a mineral that boosts energy in our bodies, makes us active and provides us with stamina. It is also tightly linked to hemoglobin, which transports oxygen from the lungs to all body cells and is also part of key enzyme systems for energy production and metabolism. Good sources of iron in fruit include berries, dates, avocados, sultanas and other dried fruits. All these foodstuffs contain between 0.8mg and 3.8mg of iron per portion.
Iron is also the essential mineral for cell growth and the normal daily requirement for an adult is between 8 to 15mg (8.7mg a day for men and 14.8mg a day for women). Other good sources of iron include liver, meat, nuts and green leafy vegetables.
It’s important to note that too much iron can be fatal with heart and liver failure being the biggest dangers.
People may accidentally intake too much iron into their system for a number of reasons, perhaps by taking excessive amounts of supplement pills or by eating too much red meat, which is rich in this mineral. People who require frequent blood transfusions are also at high risk.
Excessive iron intake can become toxic and symptoms include constipation, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain. It is especially harmful to children. Accidental overdoses of iron in children is the leading cause of accidental poisoning in children aged under six.
Consuming too little iron also has its dangers with women, children and elderly people most at risk. It can trigger anemia that causes fatigue, shortness of breath, irritability, weight loss, dizziness and headaches.
If you are having difficulty incorporating iron-rich foods into your daily diet, why not try adding raisins or dried apricots to your cereal in the morning or packing avocados in to your bag to take to work. Every little helps to meet that all-important daily recommended intake.
Source:
www.healthalternatives2000.com
Iron is also the essential mineral for cell growth and the normal daily requirement for an adult is between 8 to 15mg (8.7mg a day for men and 14.8mg a day for women). Other good sources of iron include liver, meat, nuts and green leafy vegetables.
It’s important to note that too much iron can be fatal with heart and liver failure being the biggest dangers.
People may accidentally intake too much iron into their system for a number of reasons, perhaps by taking excessive amounts of supplement pills or by eating too much red meat, which is rich in this mineral. People who require frequent blood transfusions are also at high risk.
Excessive iron intake can become toxic and symptoms include constipation, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain. It is especially harmful to children. Accidental overdoses of iron in children is the leading cause of accidental poisoning in children aged under six.
Consuming too little iron also has its dangers with women, children and elderly people most at risk. It can trigger anemia that causes fatigue, shortness of breath, irritability, weight loss, dizziness and headaches.
If you are having difficulty incorporating iron-rich foods into your daily diet, why not try adding raisins or dried apricots to your cereal in the morning or packing avocados in to your bag to take to work. Every little helps to meet that all-important daily recommended intake.
Source:
www.healthalternatives2000.com
