WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF TAKING IRON SUPPLEMENTS? By Kendra Crawford Adequate iron levels can improve overall health. Iron is an extremely important component of hemoglobin, which transports the oxygen within the red blood cells to the tissues throughout the body. The Recommended daily allowance for women is 18mg of iron, and men 8mg for men. When a person has an iron deficiency, there is a limited amount of oxygen being delivered to the cells, causing a person to suffer from iron-deficiency anemia. Taking iron supplements will decrease the chances of anemia and improve quality of life. SLEEP BETTER According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, iron deficiency plays a major role in insomnia, and iron supplements are said to help improve sleep. In some people, an iron deficiency can also cause restless leg syndrome, which will cause a person to not be able to lie still at night. A proper dose of iron can solve this problem. INCREASE ENERGY Low iron levels will cause a person to feel tired and lethargic for no reason. Since iron is an important component of hemoglobin, fatigue is a natural symptom of a deficiency. Iron aids in the synthesis of the "feel-good" neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. Taking an iron supplement will keep you energized, healthy and in a better mood. IMPROVE CONCENTRATION An iron deficiency can cause difficulties with learning and focusing on one thing at a time, and can affect intellectual activity. Iron supplements can help build concentration in people to carry out their daily routines efficiently. There are also claims that supplements might improve symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, says Medline Plus. STRENGTHEN IMMUNE SYSTEM When a person is iron-deficient, the body is weakened, which stops it from fighting illness effectively, leading to headaches, flu and the common cold. Iron provides the body with the strength it needs to fight disease and infection. Iron also is important for muscle proteins and aids in manufacturing collagen, a protein found in connective tissue. Sponsored Links Iron therapy Read more: livestrong/article/252367-what-are-the-benefits-of-taking-iron-supplements/#ixzz2ZlQKzkd1
Posted on: Mon, 22 Jul 2013 09:12:31 +0000