Requirements

The Recommended Daily Allowance is 14mg for Iron.

Signs of Deficiency
According to Alexander Schauss, Ph.D., iron deficiency is one of the most common deficiency diseases in the world.1 It can result from intestinal bleeding, excessive menstruation. A diet high in phosphorous, poor digestion, long-term illness, ulcers, strenuous exercise, excessive perspiration, insufficient amounts of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and prolonged use of antacids all contribute to iron deficiency.2 Symptoms include: anaemia, brittle hair and nails, cognitive impairment, digestive disturbances, dizziness, fatigue, fragile bones, hair loss, inability to concentrate, inflammation of tissues of the mouth, intolerance to cold, paleness and a general lack of well-being.1,2,3 It is estimated that in women 20-49 years of age, iron deficiency anaemia affects 5 % of this group. In children, iron deficiency is associated with Behavioural abnormalities and reduced cognitive performance (see below).4

Interactions
Moderate to large amounts of calcium, zinc and vitamin E can interfere with the absorption of iron.1,2 Copper, manganese, molybdenum, vitamin A and B-complex vitamins also play an essential role for complete iron absorption.2 Vitamin C also enhances the absorption of iron.

Iron supplements are not safe for people with iron storage disorders including hemosiderosis, idiopathic hemochromatosis or thalossemias.1

Iron can be fatal to children if taken in an overdose.

Iron supplements should not be taken if an individual has an infection. According to Prescription for Nutritional Healing, taking extra iron at such times can encourage the proliferation of bacteria within the body.2

Signs of Toxicity
High levels of iron can lead to increased production of free radicals within the body. Excessive amounts of iron have been linked with heart disease and cancer.

Current Research

Cognition
An iron deficiency in infancy can adversely affect one's sight and hearing years later even if the deficiency was corrected, according to researchers at the University of Michigan and the University of Chile. Researchers studied 84 Chilean children; 41 of whom had been diagnosed with iron-deficiency anaemia in infancy while 43 had not. Researchers measured the children's' response times to visual and auditory stimuli and found the children who had been iron-deficient as infants had a slower response time.4

Exercise and Endurance
Iron supplementation can improve exercise performance. According to Alexander Schauss, Ph.D., iron supplementation appears to influence the amount of increase in haemoglobin and serum ferritin levels. In animal studies, it was found that endurance capacity increased more than three-fold after iron supplementation.4

Immunity
Iron helps to ward off infections, according to researchers at Boston University. Iron enables phagocytes, or white blood cells, to defend the body against bacterial infections. Phagocytes depend on the oxygen iron brings, in order to produce substances to kill bacteria. In addition, lymphocytes and the production of antibodies also depend on iron.5 Iron is also important in the case of viral infections.

Cold Tolerance
In animal studies, anaemic rats exposed to 39 degree Fahrenheit temperatures for 24 hours became ill compared to non-anaemic rats that tolerated the exposure. In addition, the anaemic rats displayed lower body temperatures, reduced oxygen consumption, reduced thyroid activity and less metabolic activity.5