What is Iron-Deficiency Anemia

Approximately 15 percent of women of childbearing age have iron-deficiency anemia. Iron is part of the hemoglobin in your blood, which carries oxygen to your cells. Iron-deficiency anemia occurs when your body's stores of iron are depleted. Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and pallor. Your iron stores won't be depleted if you skip a meal or don't eat iron-rich foods for a day or two. In most cases, it takes a long time to deplete iron stores. Women are at greater risk for iron deficiency than men because menstruation causes monthly loss of blood and iron. During pregnancy, a woman's blood volume increases, and her developing placenta and baby require iron too, which can further deplete the mother's stores.

The RDA for iron for pregnant women is set at 30 milligrams. For breastfeeding mothers, it drops down to 15 milligrams. Breastfeeding doesn't draw much iron; a mother secretes less than 1 milligram of iron in a day's supply of breast milk. Less iron is needed while breastfeeding than when you have your period. Since in many cases your period won't resume for several months while you nurse, breastfeeding actually gives you an opportunity to conserve iron, and it is good idea for women who are iron deficient. But if your period starts again while you are breastfeeding, your demand for iron will increase, so make sure you get some very good sources.

Iron can be a tough nutrient to get, particularly for women on calorie-restricted diets or women who don't eat animal foods like beef, lamb, and so on, which is a best iron source. The iron that is available from vegetables is less absorbable than the iron in meat. Milk is also very poor source of iron.

If iron deficiency is a problem for you, try to eat iron-rich foods. There are other things you can try to enhance iron absorption:

1. Eat a food rich in vitamin C with every meal-it will enhance absorption of the iron you eat. Drink orange juice, eat a citrus fruit for dessert, or eat vitamin C-rich vegetable such as tomatoes or broccoli.

2. Eat a small amount of meat with every meal.

3. Eat iron-fortified cereals, bread, and pasta.

4. Cook in cast-iron pots. Studies show that some of the iron passes from the pot into your food and can become a significant source of iron.

5. Studies have found that tea and coffee can inhibit iron absorption, so drink these an hour before and after you eat your meal.

6. Ask your doctor for iron supplement. Unfortunately, the iron consumed in tablet form isn't nearly absorbed as that from real food. Iron supplements can also be constipating and upsetting to the stomach.

Even if you have iron-deficiency anemia, your baby won't be affected while you breastfeed. Iron-deficiency anemia is quite uncommon in breastfed babies under six months old. Your little one was born with his own six-month supply of iron, even if your intake of iron while pregnant was less than ideal and this supply helps insure adequate iron levels. The exception to this rule has been seen in breastfed babies who are given solid food early - say at the three month mark. Early solids can decrease a baby's intake of breast milk, which contain a small but highly absorbable form of iron. Babies who start on solid foods early should get a good iron-rich food. Iron-fortified cereal can be a good choice.

A child who at nine months is still consuming only breast milk can also become iron deficient; at this age breast milk can no longer supply at her demands for iron. After six months, all breastfed babies need an external iron source. Iron-fortified cereal is a good choice for them too.

Source:

Supplements, Diet and Exercise

Author: Jason Harnnet

Page: 239

Published: 2006