An inadequate and unbalanced diet, specific physiological conditions (menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding), bleeding and certain pathologies may require an increased need for iron.
The causes that can lead to the increase in the need for iron are different, but, in all cases, it is necessary to restore the body’s balance of this nutrient in order to facilitate certain normal physiological functions of our bodies.
Restoring normal iron intake may be useful in cases of:
LOW SERUM IRON
Low serum iron indicates that iron levels in the blood are below physiological levels. This may be due to: low iron intake through diet or increased demand (pregnancy, growth in children), bleeding or pathological conditions that reduce iron absorption.
IRON DEFICIENCY
Iron deficiency usually manifests itself as a general feeling of tiredness and fatigue. It can occur as a result of a poor dietary intake of iron, in cases of specific physiological conditions, such as menstrual cycle or pregnancy, as well as in cases of certain diseases that decrease the absorption of iron.
IRON ABSORPTION
The absorption of iron occurs mainly in the intestine, specifically in the duodenum. Certain acute or chronic pathological conditions can lead to malabsorption of iron introduced through diet.
LOW HAEMOGLOBIN
Haemoglobin is a protein that plays a very important role in our body: it facilitates the transport of oxygen in the blood. Low haemoglobin occurs when blood levels of this protein are below physiological levels. Amongst the many causes, low haemoglobin may be due to an insufficient iron intake through diet or physiological conditions (pregnancy, menstruation).
