Iron is a mineral essential for the proper functioning of the body. It has a fundamental role in the formation of hemoglobin in red blood cells in the formation of myoglobin contained in the muscles and that of many enzymes essential to the functioning of the body.
Iron is a mineral essential for the proper functioning of the body. It has a fundamental role in the formation of hemoglobin in red blood cells in the formation of myoglobin contained in the muscles and that of many enzymes essential to the functioning of the body.
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Iron is present in very small quantities in the body. Part of this iron is eliminated each day. To maintain a sufficient amount of iron, replace losses in food intake. If supplies are insufficient compared to the losses, he moved with an imbalance of iron deficiency which has consequences on health.
The risk of iron deficiency
Iron deficiency leads to anemia, accompanied by a reduction in physical and intellectual capacity, reduced resistance to infection during pregnancy and an increased risk of low birth weight, morbidity and mortality in the newborn. In many developing countries, anemia Iron deficiency is a serious public health problem that affects in some cases half of the women and children.
There are several degrees of iron deficiency. Iron deficiency is the most visible anemia, which can result in clinical signs (pallor, shortness of breath, tiredness etc..). However, the diagnosis of iron deficiency is mainly by blood tests. In addition to the measurement of hemoglobin can be measured reserves of iron in the body through the other indicators and detect moderate iron deficiencies.
This is important because apart from anemia, and therefore no visible signs, iron deficiency may also have negative consequences on health, including reduced physical capacity during exercise, decreased intellectual performance, reduced resistance to infections, and cause disturbances during pregnancy.
To keep a balance
The balance of iron status is very dependent on the level of iron requirements of the organization, which vary during life (see recommended dietary iron). These requirements are higher:
* Children and adolescents because of rapid growth;
* The women, from puberty to menopause, due to additional losses of iron due to menstruation;
* Pregnant women because of the needs of the fetus and changes in the body of the woman.
In fact, coverage of iron requirements is less easy to achieve as one might think. In France, recent studies have confirmed this problem for a significant proportion of the population, iron intake is insufficient because the concentration of iron in the diet is too low. Even in a country of abundance such as France, there are therefore problems of anemia associated with nutritional deficiencies.
