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Iron
Regulate your iron levels with convenient supplements.
Of all the minerals our bodies need to function, iron is the one you’ve most likely heard of. Found in cereals, meat and plant sources like legumes, iron is responsible for the production of red blood cells and normal oxygen transport around the body.
A lack of iron can cause fatigue and all manner of health problems. Take too much iron, however, and you can put yourself at risk. Our iron supplements range includes iron tablets and iron capsules that are well labelled to help you get the right dose for your needs. If you’re still wondering if you should take iron, read on and we’ll explain.
Find out more about iron, including what it does, how much you need, where to find it and who might need to supplement their diet.
Our bodies need a certain amount of iron to function as they should. Iron is there to help control and regulate our bodily processes, from supporting energy yielding metabolism to normal cognitive function helping us concentrate. Iron can also play an important part in making sure our immune system functions normally.
Many foods are already high in iron, which is categorised by haem iron and non-haem iron. The difference between the two is that haem iron is better absorbed by the body and found in animal products. Non-haem iron is more common in plants.
Haem iron sources include:
- Red meat, including beef
- Poultry, including chicken
- Liver (although this isn’t recommended for pregnant women)
- Oysters
- Canned fish, including sardines and tuna
Non haem iron sources include:
- Legumes
- Spinach
- Tofu
- Vegetables
- Fortified grains
- Some breakfast cereals
The question of whether you should take iron supplements all depends on your daily diet and if you’re getting enough iron to start with. Some people who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet may find their iron levels are low because the body doesn’t absorb as much iron from plant sources (non-haem iron) as it does animal products.
People who should pay careful attention to their iron levels include:
- Female athletes
- Vegetarians
- Vegans
- Pregnant women
- Women who have just experienced a heavy period
- Anyone with an iron deficiency
It all depends on your age, gender and lifestyle. Some people will naturally need more iron than others. As a guideline, the NHS recommends the following amounts:
- 8.7mg a day for men over 18
- 14.8mg a day for women aged 19 to 50
- 8.7mg a day for women over 50
If you have a child or children who have a balanced diet, they shouldn’t need iron supplements. However, if they are a picky eater, iron supplements, and multivitamins that are specially formulated for kids can be useful for topping up their iron supply.
The Healthline Parenthood site recommends the following amounts of iron for kids:
- Ages 1 to 3 years: 7 milligrams per day
- Ages 4 to 8 years: 10 milligrams per day
If you’re unsure, always check with your GP or consult a pharmacist. Some multivitamin products on the market also contain added iron, with specific dosage information on the label. Babies usually get enough iron from breast milk or specially formulated milk if you are bottle feeding.
Our supplements range is full of iron products, including quality Holland & Barrett tablets and capsules and herbal formulas like Floradix. Some products include added folic acid and vitamin B12 while iron supplements aimed at children often come as gummies. If you think you might be iron deficient, see your local GP or practitioner.
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