The Ins and Outs of Iron

Iron is a basic nutrient we often forget about but it’s very important. We need enough even as a baby and throughout life. Here’s the rule of thumb:

As a baby, we are born with a supply of iron that will last about 6 months. Supplementing with a baby multi, containing iron, is a good idea after this. We can help. We look at many baby products and are not pleased with what they contain.

As we get older, everyone uses a multi with iron until boys are 21 years. Everyone needs iron for growth and this is when boys are done so no longer need to add it.

Females continue to use a multi with iron until they are through menopause. (due to monthly blood loss.) This is in general but we often find folks low in iron.

Again, we can help educate about what’s best. Many multi vitamins don’t work, and worse-do more harm than good (just one example. Some have a source of copper shown to bring on Alzheimer’s) They can also be imbalanced and/or contaminated.

Iron is known for energy and immune system but there’s so much more: we see much more thyroid issues today and anemia (low iron) is often connected. Anemia is a deal breaker for fixing the thyroid as it’s a must for nutrition support. Low iron literally starves the body of oxygen. Red blood cells are deprived of this and aspects that regenerate and heal can’t happen well, or at all, throughout the body.

Reasons for low iron can be low stomach acid or people using acid blocking medications, or athletes who get a high amount of exercise.

There is more to testing iron than just an iron test. Call us to learn more.