Iron deficiency is a very common issue, particularly in women. Women’s bodies are constantly changing, including our iron levels. Iron is a building block for red blood cells and critical for producing hemoglobin which transports oxygen around the body. So if you lack iron in your diet everything suffers, these are a few side effects you may experience…
1. Pale skin
Anemia is a condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough red blood cells leading skin to appear paler than normal.
2. Shortness of breath
Lack of oxygen being transported to the heart due to lack of iron being a building block for the red blood cells in your body.
3. Dizziness/tiredness/weakness
Iron is used to make energy and fuel enzymes. Therefore, if you have low iron, you are depriving your body’s cells of oxygen.
4. Strange cravings
Iron deficiencies cause strange cravings, if you’ve been finding yourself tempted to chew on ice cubes, you might actually be suffering from an iron deficiency.
5. Dizziness
Periodic dizziness is not normal and can be caused by an iron deficiency too if you’re ticking many of these symptoms off plus headaches, brittle nails, and cold hands and feet, you might want to try getting more iron in your diet.
If this is you, it may be a good idea to see your doctor and get some further advice. For the time being try and up your iron levels with iron supplements, beef lamb, dark leafy greens such as spinach, whole grains like oatmeal or brown rice and dark chocolate!
LET’S CHAT
Have you got any of these symptoms? Let us know in the comments below.
