Are you always tired, even after having your power naps? Do you often feel dizzy and less energetic throughout the day? Then these can be signs of iron deficiency in your body, and you should get yourself tested, as ignoring these symptoms may cause high haemoglobin deficiency, making you anaemic.

Iron levels play an important role in regulating the healthy functioning of our body, and low iron levels may disrupt your health both physically and mentally. With low iron levels, the blood loses all the healthy red blood cells, with rapidly decreasing haemoglobin, resulting in pale skin, less energy in the body, dizziness, etc. In females, low iron levels indicate irregular menstruation, heavy bleeding with large blood clots, hormonal imbalance, and vomiting. Some studies show that more than 68.4% of youngsters are anaemic, along with 35.7% of children in India.

With our busy schedules, we often ignore these symptoms and mistake them for stress, which causes bigger problems later. In this blog, you’ll learn more about iron levels, how they are regulated in your body, what causes their deficiency, and how to boost your iron levels quickly.


How do iron levels work in your body?

Iron levels aren’t something you can regulate with a magic wand; there is a science behind it that needs time and an adequate amount of nutrients to fulfil the deficiency in your body. So before you start checking for medicines and supplements, you should know how iron levels work in your body.

Human blood comprises components like plasma, red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets. Healthy red blood cells are made up of an important protein called haemoglobin, which helps transport O2 (oxygen) to other organs and tissues in the body. Getting closer to haemoglobin, we find four major elements known as hemes, and the most important one is iron, which plays a vital role in binding oxygen.

Anemia or iron deficiency in the body can cause low oxygen transmission, which may lead to shortness of breath, fatigue, pale skin, brittle nails, vomiting, etc. The human body needs healthy red blood cells to function properly, and failing to do so can result in several health problems you may not be aware of. It is usually recommended that you get a blood test done either quarterly or annually to check the levels of iron and nutrients in your blood. You'll be able to identify your weaknesses and create a better plan for yourself once you've been tested. Apart from knowing your deficiencies, you should keep track of how these deficiencies occur in your body. 

How do iron levels decrease in the body? 

With everyone's schedules so hectic these days, nutrient shortages are a prevalent problem. People in this lifestyle typically don't prioritize the correct amount of nutrients they need and tend to ignore their health. You should know what your body requires to maintain a good, healthy functioning system, even if there are many causes of vitamin deficiencies. According to the latest research and studies, iron, vitamin D, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 are the most common deficiencies in adults and children in India. Men, women, and children all experience various causes of nutrient shortages, which can be addressed and treated independently with appropriate dietary management and additional supplements that physicians prescribe.

Iron deficiency in Men-

Most men experience iron deficiencies due to their physiological structures compared to those of women and children. Due to low iron levels, men experience poor libido, and low testosterone levels which result in low sex drive. It is important to understand how testosterone levels are affected and how it can affect you. There are several other reasons for low iron levels, which include-

  • Extreme Blood Loss-  

The most common cause of iron deficiency in men between the ages of 24 and 55 is frequently internal blood damage-related causes of blood loss. Men who have experienced any major fatal physical accidents or injuries are prone to being anaemic as compared to others.

  • Poor Diet and Lifestyle-

Because the majority of men work long hours and lead extremely stressful lives in the corporate world, they frequently neglect their diets and their own needs for nutrients, which causes their iron levels to fluctuate greatly. 

  • Prolonged Illness-

Due to known or unknown prolonged illnesses like kidney infections or ulcers, men are exposed to being anaemic and experience symptoms like poor concentration, poor gut health, low testosterone levels etc.  

  • Frequent Blood Donation-

If you donate blood, please take caution not to do so before three months have passed. You should also keep track of your blood donations, since if you need blood regularly, it may lead to low blood sugar levels that can make you anaemic. 

Iron deficiency in Women- 

Because women experience several physiological changes throughout their lives, they are typically more susceptible to low iron levels. Periods such as adolescence, pregnancy, and menopause might periodically alter their blood levels. 

  • Blood loss during Menstruation-

During the phase of menstruation, women lose a certain amount of blood that may make them prone to anaemia. Women are advised to keep track of their blood loss and report it to their gynaecologist. 

  • Pregnancy 

Women are responsible for the fetus's growth throughout pregnancy, and because of the unequal distribution of nutrients, pregnant women typically experience weakness and low iron levels in their bodies.  

  • Postpartum and breastfeeding

Mothers become anaemic after giving birth because they must continue to breastfeed their infants while experiencing significant blood loss. The body's iron levels change during lactation because the baby absorbs the majority of its nutrients from the milk.

  • Poor diet and lifestyle 

Women, in their reproducing phases, often ignore their health, which leads to low iron levels in their body. As mentioned earlier, women need to monitor their blood reports regularly to avoid prolonged menstrual health issues. Women are advised to take supplements like Folic acid and Iron capsules to boost their iron and folic acid levels.

Iron deficiency in Children-

  • Premature birth-

Children from 1 to 9 years are more susceptible to anaemia because of their premature birth. Children born before 37 weeks, preterm babies suffer from malnutrition and poor immunity as they lack most of the necessary nutrients, like iron, vitamins, and minerals in their bodies.  

  • Poor diet during growth years-

During their growing years, children with a bad diet may also develop into picky eaters. The lack of green vegetables, rich fruits, vegetables, vitamin C, minerals, carbs, and protein can cause low iron levels in the body.

  • Excessive breast milk-

Because of the additional nutrients and breast milk, infants who are breastfed excessively may eventually develop low iron levels, since their bodies have become more receptive to nourishment. Children like these should be given more vitamin and iron-enriched foods to compensate for their deficiencies. 

  • Poor nutrition absorption- 

Due to poor body receptors, some kids have a reduced capacity to absorb nutrients, which causes their bodies to meet their nutritional needs inadequately. Pediatricians advise giving them nutrients in the form of natural, organic food and healthy drinks so the body can adapt to the nutrients naturally. If you are anaemic or know someone with low iron levels, then scroll down to know how you can boost your iron levels quickly. 


How to boost iron levels quickly? 

Six out of ten individuals have low iron levels in their bodies or are experiencing prolonged anaemia because they do not know how to increase their iron levels. If you are looking for options to raise your iron levels quickly, consider these possibilities and choose the one that works best for you, even though iron levels can be restored and maintained with a healthy diet and adequate vegetable intake.

1. Rely on Iron enriched foods 

First and foremost, you should adopt a healthier lifestyle and increase your intake of foods high in iron. Iron levels can be swiftly raised by eating foods like spinach, broccoli, kale and beetroot. Foods like these are enriched with all the nutrients your body needs during iron deficiency. 


2. Switch to Iron supplements 

Doctors generally advise you to take iron supplements with your food to boost iron levels quickly. Iron supplements help to shoot up your iron levels if taken for a prescribed period. You can always go for an organic supplement like Healeo’s Iron+ Folic Acid Drops which increase haemoglobin production, boost red blood cells, enhance energy levels, and prevent anaemia. Along with iron supplements, you can also opt for Vitamin B12 supplements, for better results. Healeo's Vegan Vitamin B12 Drops which help to boost energy levels, balancing your mood swings, enhance metabolism, improve nerve function and assist in the production of red blood cells in the body.   

3. Pair your supplements with Vitamin-C-enriched foods 

Vitamin C-enriched foods are the best catalysts for iron to work in the body. Most doctors prescribe vitamin C- foods for iron deficiency, as it helps the iron to get absorbed in the body quickly. You can choose drinks like orange juice, berries, and lemon detox water with your iron supplements to boost your iron levels faster. 

4. Take iron injections 

Taking iron injections is advised in case of an emergency. Before undergoing serious medical surgery, doctors monitor your iron levels and advise you to take injections. Although taking injections may seem easier, it may have some side effects later, so it is better to consult with a doctor before you opt for an iron injection.   

Conclusion

Iron levels play an important role in your body, and no matter how occupied you are with your work, it is important for you to continuously monitor your blood reports to avoid serious health issues later in your life. Remember, no matter how healthy you are, don’t neglect to go for a checkup, and it is important for you to be consistent with your lifestyle and the supplements you take. Don’t restrict yourself to one thing; try and select the best option for you. With such a busy schedule and an occupied, stressful lifestyle, you need to understand what your body needs. To focus on a better lifestyle, avoid all kinds of harmful substances like tobacco, alcohol, etc. and live a healthy life with a healthier version of yourself. 

Read more about the foods rich in Vitamin B12 for vegetarians