Iron Requirement

What are Iron supplements? 

Iron supplements are one of the sources of this mineral. Iron is a crucial mineral that supports the maintenance of healthy blood. About 4-5 million Americans get iron-deficiency anaemia each year, which is a shortage of iron. [1] It is the most prevalent dietary deficit in the world and results in severe exhaustion and dizziness. It affects people of all ages, but the most vulnerable groups are young children, pregnant or menstrual women, and renal dialysis patients.

How important is Iron consumption? 

Haemoglobin, a kind of protein found in red blood cells that transports oxygen from your lungs to every area of your body, contains a significant amount of iron. Fatigue results from a lack of red blood cells, which carry oxygen, if there is not enough iron in the body. Myoglobin, a protein that transports and stores oxygen, especially in muscle tissues, also contains iron. Children’s healthy brain development, growth, and appropriate cell and hormone synthesis all depend on enough iron intake.

Iron consumption requirement

RDA: For individuals 19 to 50 years old, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) is 8 mg for males, 18 mg for women, 27 mg for pregnancy, and 9 mg for breastfeeding. The larger levels are related to menstrual blood loss in women during pregnancy, as well as the fetus’s fast development throughout pregnancy, which necessitates increased blood flow. Actively growing adolescents between the ages of 14 and 18 also require more iron: 11 mg for boys, 15 mg for girls, 27 mg for pregnancy, and 10 mg for nursing. With the understanding that menopause has resulted at the end of menstruation, the RDA for women 51 years and older is reduced to 8 mg.

The highest daily consumption that is not anticipated to harm health is known as the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL). The UL for iron for all males and females aged 14 and older is 45 mg per day. The UL for children under age 18 is 40 mg.

The iron requirement for different people varies as there are multiple genetic disorders and hidden diseases that can affect the requirement of iron needed in your diet.

That is why it is recommended to get a DNA test to be able to know how much iron is required in your diet. 

Figuring out how much iron you need

With the help of MyPreciseDNA’s extensive nutritional characteristics and categories, you may better understand what your body requires. Everybody is different, therefore balancing your diet to meet your needs is not a simple process. Having a tailored diet centred around your requirements is important to ensure proper consumption of healthy nutrients such as vitamins. The DNA test does not only include nutritional traits, but it also provides you with a report for 129 traits and 15 categories ranging from your physical health to your mental health making it a great resource for you to stay healthy and keep track. There are many reasons for getting a DNA test, but knowing your Iron requirement is the tip of the iceberg. 

Iron supplements and other sources of Iron

The body can absorb heme iron better than non-heme iron. Non-heme iron might be better or worse absorbed depending on several circumstances. Non-heme iron can be better absorbed when taken with vitamin C and heme iron in the same meal. Non-heme iron absorption can be hampered by bran fibre, high calcium intake, especially from supplements, and plant compounds such as phytates and tannins. The followings are sources of iron:

• Dried fruits
• Red meat
• Liver
• Nuts and beans
• Iron supplements

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