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<p><strong>Why Iron is an Important Nutrition?</strong></p>
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<p>Let's look at why iron is so important to your body, what can happen if you're not getting enough of it.</p>
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<p><strong>Why Do You Need Iron?</strong></p>
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<p>Iron is an essential mineral. "The major reason we need it is that it helps to transport oxygen throughout the body,"</p>
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<p>Iron is an important component of hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to transport it throughout your body. Hemoglobin represents about two-thirds of the body’s iron. If you don't have enough iron, your body can't make enough healthy oxygen-carrying red blood cells. A lack of red blood cells is called iron deficiency anemia.</p>
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<p>Without healthy red blood cells, your body can't get enough oxygen. "If you're not getting sufficient oxygen in the body, you're going to become fatigued". That exhaustion can affect everything from your brain function to your immune system's ability to fight off infections. If you're pregnant, severe iron deficiency may increase your baby's risk of being born too early, or smaller than normal.</p>
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<p>Iron has other important functions, too. "Iron is also necessary to maintain healthy cells, skin, hair, and nails,"</p>
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<p><strong>How Do You Know If You Are Iron Deficient?</strong></p>
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<p>"People often don't know they have anemia until they have signs or symptoms -- they appear pale or 'sallow,' are fatigued, or have difficulty exercising.”</p>
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<p><strong>If you're low in iron, you may also:</strong></p>
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<ul><li>Feel short of breath</li><li>Have a fast heartbeat</li><li>Have cold hands and feet</li><li>Crave strange substances such as dirt or clay</li><li>Have brittle and spoon shaped nails or hair loss</li><li>Sores at the corner of the mouth</li><li>A sore tongue</li><li>Severe iron deficiency can cause difficulty in swallowing</li></ul>
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<p><strong>Do You Need to Take an Iron Supplement?</strong></p>
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<p>If your iron is low, eating a diet that is high in iron-rich foods such as fortified cereals, red meat, dried fruit, and beans may not be enough to give you what you need. You can take an iron supplement after consulting a doctor.</p>
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