BEST IDEA THIS MONTH:

WITHOUT IT, WE CANNOT SURVIVE. ON THE FLIP SIDE, TOO MUCH OF IT CAN BE DEADLY.

It’s iron, man!

The minerals in our diet are essential for a variety of bodily functions; without them, the body simply wouldn’t function. Although they are all vital, we don’t need equal quantities of each, and minerals are grouped accordingly. Macro-minerals or major minerals are what we call those needed in larger amounts, while those we need less of are micro-minerals or trace elements.

WHAT IS IRON?

Iron is one of the micro-minerals. It forms part of haemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that helps blood carry oxygen throughout the body.

Anaemia (lack of haemoglobin in the blood) is a common disorder that often goes undetected, even though it currently affects around 1.62 billion people worldwide. The most common causes of reduced iron levels are blood loss (caused by ulcers, extensive surgery or heavy menstrual cycles), pregnancy (during which the body requires more iron) and vegan or vegetarian diets.

ALTHOUGH ANYONE CAN DEVELOP IRONDEFICIENCY ANAEMIA, THERE ARE GROUPS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE MORE AT RISK: • Women, as a result of monthly blood loss and giving birth • People over 65, who are more likely to have diets that are low in iron • People who are on blood-thinning medication such as Warfarin

Wh- jso uoo swuytrsoactuenelrdsoafpahhraierrvooeadn t, ig hsnrioaeoucatg! ht t