Iron deficiency - causes, symptoms, effects

What are the causes of iron deficiency?

According to experts, one of the most frequently reported causes of iron deficiency is a significant blood loss. Individuals with a tendency to bleed (e.g. hemorrhagic diathesis, women with heavy and long periods, postmenopausal bleeding disorders) are particularly exposed to insufficient levels of iron in the body. Problems related to blood clotting and wound healing are equally common - past injuries, damage and operations on the internal organs or the musculoskeletal system may contribute to a marked reduction in the iron content.

Other causes of iron deficiency include abnormalities in the absorption of the element from food, chronic diarrhea and a diet poor in its natural sources. At this point it is worth mentioning vegetarians and vegans, who by eliminating meat products increase the risk of deficiencies.

How can you identify the symptoms of an iron deficiency?

The iron deficiency problem starts with symptoms that may not be related to it in the first place. In the initial stage, there is a persistent feeling of fatigue, insufficient energy or a significant deterioration of the mood. Over time, the condition of the skin also begins to indicate the presence of the problem - it becomes excessively dry, rough, and the natural color of our skin begins to fade. Low levels of iron also increase hair brittleness, nail cracks or formation of unsightly sores in the throat and mouth.

Iron deficiency also promotes problems associated with reduced concentration, excessive dizziness and headaches, and reduces the effectiveness of thought processes. As a result of weakening of the immune system, the risk of infection increases. Long-term iron deficiency leads to chronic anemia.

How can the consequences of an iron deficiency be remedied?

The best way is of course to maintain a healthy and varied diet, which is rich in natural sources of this element. Unfortunately, in some cases even a balanced diet may not be a sufficient solution to the iron deficiency problem. What then needs to be done to deal with the negative effects of its low levels?

A good solution will be to choose dietary supplements that allow you to provide the optimal amount of easily assimilable form of this substance. The Olimp Sport Nutrition brand recommends choosing the Vita-Min Multiple Sport, which is a complex combination of the most important vitamins and minerals, additionally enriched with highly standardized plant extracts. All ingredients were obtained from raw materials of a proven microbiological purity, and the product itself was produced in accordance with the standards of a pharmaceutical company.