When And How Should We Take Iron Supplements?

Some people do not have enough iron in their bodies due to reasons like low consumption or loss of iron through blood loss or certain internal conditions that interfere with the absorption of iron in the body. In such cases taking iron supplements to makeup for the deficiency becomes necessary and can help return their levels of this mineral to a healthy volume.

Iron is a vital mineral that is required for producing hemoglobin and red blood cells in addition to a variety of other roles in bodily functioning. It is particularly important in keeping red blood cells healthy.

Hemoglobin is a protein in the red blood cells that carries oxygen in the blood from the lungs to other parts of the body and reduction in iron means a reduction in hemoglobin which can lead t o diseases like iron deficiency Anaemia.

This article looks at types of iron supplements available, conditions that might require iron supplements, side effects, dosages of iron supplements.

Types of iron supplements

There are numerous iron supplements available, each containing varying amounts of iron. Although they are typically in tablet form, some are also available as a liquid. Iron supplements for kids are also available in forms of chews and gummies.

Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron more efficiently, so some manufacturers of iron supplements will add vitamin C to the formulation.

The various types of iron supplements india include:

• ferrous sulfate
• ferrous gluconate
• ferric citrate
• ferric sulfate

Before taking any supplements, it is best to speak with a pharmacist or healthcare professional.

When to take Iron supplements?

A healthcare professional may prescribe iron supplements if someone does not have enough iron in their body. People can also purchase over-the-counter iron supplements.

• However, One should only take the supplements if they suffer from:
• Low hemoglobin that shows up in blood test results
• Conditions like iron deficiency anemia.
• Poor dietary intake of iron due to vegetarian food
• Blood loss due to childbirth, menstruation or any injury or operation. (iron supplements for women)
• Cancer or inflammatory diseases like Crohn’s disease, celiacs disease and malabsorption problems.

Side effects

Taking the appropriate dosage of iron is unlikely to cause any side effects.

In some instances, however, people taking iron supplements may experience

 the following symptoms:

• diarrhea
• flatulence
• constipation
• nausea

Having too much iron in the body can also be problematic and can damage the body’s organs, including the heart, liver, and pancreas.

If someone takes more than the recommended dosage of iron supplements, they may develop iron poisoning. If someone suspects that they have taken too much iron, they should seek professional medical advice as soon as possible.

Iron Supplement Dosage

The dosage of iron that someone needs can vary depending on their age, sex, and whether or not they are pregnant or lactating.

The natural and best Iron supplements

The best alternative to iron supplementation is eating iron-rich foods with a good source of vitamin C as part of daily diet to improve the body’s absorption of iron.

The following foods are high in vitamin C:

• oranges
• broccoli
• potatoes
• red and green peppers
• strawberries

Eat dietary iron as natural sources to avoid the need of supplements.