Iron deficiency: causes, symptoms and prevention of iron deficiency anemia
The lack of iron, also called iron deficiency anemia (word that derives from the Greek and means "iron deficiency"), is a condition that can cause serious problems for our body: iron, in fact, is essential for the formation of important proteins , first of all hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells and allows the transport of oxygen to cells. Not having the right amount of iron in the blood can therefore compromise this process, causing symptoms of different severity.
If the production of hemoglobin is not sufficient, the circulation of oxygen in the blood throughout the body is compromised. According to the World Health Organization, we can speak of anemia if the values of hemoglobin in the blood are above below 12 grams per deciliter in women and 13.4 grams per deciliter in men.
All age groups are affected by iron deficiency, but especially women of childbearing age, pregnant or breastfeeding, children and adolescents. Let's find out everything there is to know on the subject, from the most common causes of iron deficiency to symptoms and ways to prevent the problem thanks to a correct diet rich in foods that contain this mineral. Meanwhile, here are some really unsuspected ones:
What are the possible causes of iron deficiency?
At the origin of iron deficiency anemia there can be different causes, of a physiological or pathological nature. It can be caused by conspicuous blood losses (internal or external bleeding), which lead to a reduction in the amount of iron in the body: this is a rather frequent problem in women of childbearing age, especially during the menstrual cycle.
Anemia can be caused by a diet that is not very rich in iron. If you eat in a varied and balanced way you can get the right amount of this mineral, while you have to be particularly alert if you are carrying out drastic diets or if you suffer from eating disorders.
It can also happen to have problems in the absorption of iron itself, as happens in the case of intestinal diseases (from Chron's disease to ulcerative colitis) or celiac disease, in which the damaged intestinal villi do not allow the extraction of iron from food. In the worst cases, non-absorption can also be due to colon or stomach cancer. Finally, you may have similar difficulties if you have undergone surgery with the removal of parts of the intestine.
Iron deficiency is quite common in delicate phases such as pregnancy and breastfeeding: the woman, in these moments, has a greater need for iron, because it is needed for the development of the baby.
What are the symptoms of iron deficiency?
The symptoms of iron deficiency are different and can vary quite a lot in intensity and severity, according to the amount of iron circulating in the blood and that contained in the body's reserve, to the age of the person and to his clinical situation. .
Generally speaking, the main symptom of this deficiency is the lack of energy and the metabolic slowdown that makes us feel fatigued and tired. There may be migraine or headache, a sense of exhaustion even when resting, breathing difficulties, pale complexion.
Other possible symptoms include: hair loss, inflammation or swelling of the tongue, dryness and brittleness of the skin and nails, heart murmur and tachycardia, dizziness, tinnitus, lack of concentration and stress. In some cases, however, it is possible that the anemia does not present any symptoms.
Preventing iron deficiency anemia with diet: here are foods rich in iron!
In order to prevent iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia it is necessary to take care of one's diet, choosing foods rich in iron, which must be accompanied by others rich in vitamin C, a substance that facilitates the absorption of the mineral.
So what are the foods to add to your diet? Among the richest in iron we find goose liver, bitter dark chocolate, seafood such as clams and cooked oyster or cuttlefish, dried fruit and muesli, lentils, soy flour and wheat, chicken, chickpeas, boiled potatoes, beans, anchovies, durum wheat Browse our album below to discover many more!
For more scientific information on iron deficiency, you can consult the Humanitas website.
