Iron in diet

Alternative names:

diet and iron

Side effects:

Iron deficiency occurs in the form of iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia can occur during periods of rapid growth, during pregnancy, and among women who are menstruating more than usual. It can be associated with any type of intestinal loss of blood, frequent donation of blood, or from the inability to absorb iron efficiently. Initial symptoms of iron deficiency anemia are fatigue and lack of energy. Dizziness, weight loss, and lowered immunity can also occur. The symptoms can be alleviated once the cause of the iron deficiency has been determined.

It is unlikely that iron toxicity can develop from an increased intake of dietary iron alone. Children have been known to develop iron toxicity by increased intake of iron supplements, however. Symptoms of iron toxicity are fatigue, anorexia, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, weight loss, shortness of breath, and possibly a grayish color to the skin.

Hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder that affects the regulation of iron absorption. The incidence is 1 out of 20,000 people. Treatment consists of a low-iron diet, no iron supplements, and donating blood on a regular basis.

Excess storage of iron in the body is known as hemosiderosis. The increased iron stores come from iron supplements or from blood transfusions, not from increased iron intake in the diet.