Minerals & Vits Information Pages
Previous pageNext pageGo to Vitamins & Minerals index page

Name:

Iron

 

Action:

A well known & used mineral essential for red blood cell development. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to all cells. The oxygen is required for many processes including energy supply.
As Iron is not produced in the body, it has to be obtained from external sources.

Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common deficiency disease in the world. Senior citizens may have inability to absorb it correctly.
Iron absorption is reduced by coffee consumption i.e. 1 cup of coffee can reduce absorption by as much as 30 per cent when consumed at the same time as iron containing foods.

Uses:

For maintaining overall health.

 

Food Source:

Red meat, fish, eggs, cereals, almonds, dried apricots, pulses, spinach, watercress.