Iron does a lot of good for your body on a daily basis. It gives you the right amount of energy, keeps your immunity strong and also takes care of the health of your blood. Not just that, it also helps to care for your unborn baby when you are pregnant.
Iron also helps to form haemoglobin, which aids the blood in carrying oxygen to different parts of your body.
5 Ways To Tell You Are Iron Deficient
1. Pain In The Muscles
If you do not have enough iron in your body, your muscles will find it difficult to recover from any form of exertion, be it exercising or any injury. As a result, you may experience pain, stiffness and discomfort, as well as soreness.
Quick Tip: Fortified cereal is a great way to start the day with a good dose of iron.
2. Often Tired
It is possible that you have had a hectic day and are feeling very tired. However, if you notice that you are almost always tired without really doing much, it is possibly a sign of iron deficiency. When you have low levels of iron, the levels of oxygen in your body go down and your energy depletes.
Quick Tip: Tuna and salmon contain a good amount of iron.
3. Feeling Breathless
Iron helps to carry oxygen around your body. But in case your iron reserves are low, you can often find yourself panting and running out of breath. In severe cases, you may also find it difficult to walk around the house.
Quick Tip: Pumpkin seeds can provide you with an instant boost of iron. Roast some and carry on the go.
4. Poor Immunity And Often Sick
Iron deficiency can also make your immunity go for a toss. As a result, you will catch infections faster, fall sick easily and often, and it can also take longer for you to recover from the same.
Quick Tip: Chickpeas contain a lot of iron, so have it as chaat, salad or any other way you want.
5. Low In Stamina
If you’ve found yourself getting extremely tired after a little bit of walk or exercise, it is another sign that your body is asking for iron. When your iron levels go low, your stamina automatically falls down.
Quick Tip: Green beans are a delicious way to get your dose of iron.
While you need the right amount of iron in your body, overdoing the levels could also be bad for your health. If your iron levels get too high, you could suffer from a condition known as hemochromatosis. It is a condition that could damage your liver and heart and also cause arthritis or diabetes.
Women often lose any extra amount of iron during their menstrual dates, but in case of men, it could lead to an iron build up. Speak to your doctor to check your iron levels and understand what diet you should follow.
