IRON.

Byline: Ms Mehwish Idrees

Iron is an essential mineral found in the body. Iron plays a central role in many biochemical processes in the body. These include oxygen transport and storage, assisting with immunity and contributing to enzyme systems.

Role of Iron in body:

Iron helps oxygenate the blood

The key function of iron is to facilitate oxygen transport by haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying pigment of the erythrocytes (red blood cells).

Iron helps convert blood sugar to energy

Our bodies need iron to convert blood sugar to energy. It helps boost haemoglobin production and thus increases the transport of oxygen to help alleviate fatigue and tiredness.

Iron boosts the immune system

Iron is vital for the proliferation of all cells including those of the immune system. Having an adequate amount of iron in your system will help your immune system to function helping you to support and maintain good health.

Iron-dependent enzymes

A large number of enzymes require iron as a cofactor for their functions. Among the most significant of these are enzymes involved in oxidative phosphorylation, the metabolic pathway that converts nutrients to energy.

Iron aids cognitive function

Iron deficiency can contribute to impaired cognitive function.

Iron supports healthy skin, hair and nails

Iron supports enzyme systems that are involved in the synthesis of collagen and elastin. It helps the hair to become vibrant and shiny and it also helps prevent the nails from becoming brittle and dry by keeping them strong and moist.

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is a common type of anemia - a condition in which blood lacks adequate healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body's tissues. As the name implies, iron deficiency anemia is due to insufficient iron.

Without enough iron, your body can't produce enough of a substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen (hemoglobin). As a result, iron deficiency anemia may leave you tired and short of breath. We can usually correct iron deficiency anemia with iron supplementation. Sometimes additional tests or treatments for iron deficiency anemia are necessary, especially if your doctor suspects that you're bleeding internally.

Symptoms

Initially, iron deficiency anemia can be so mild that it goes unnoticed. But as the body becomes more deficient in iron and anemia worsens, the signs and symptoms intensify

Iron deficiency anemia signs and symptoms may include:

Extreme fatigue

Weakness

Pale skin

Chest pain, fast heartbeat or shortness of breath

Headache, dizziness or lightheadedness

Cold hands and feet

Inflammation or soreness of your tongue

Brittle nails

Unusual cravings for nonnutritive substances, such as ice, dirt or starch

Poor appetite, especially in infants and children...