Iron Deficiency Anemia: Causes, Symptoms, and Dietary Guidelines
As the name suggests, iron deficiency anemia is a condition that occurs when the body does not have enough iron. Before discussing the appropriate diet for anemia, let’s first talk a bit about the mineral iron and the symptoms of this condition. Iron and Hemoglobin Iron is found in cells that carry hemoglobin. In an adult human body, there are approximately 3-5 grams of iron, and more than half of this amount is found in the blood. Iron does not move freely in the blood or body; it binds to different proteins and takes on various roles. One of its vital functions is transporting oxygen from the lungs to other tissues in the body and returning carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. It also plays a role in synthesizing enzymes needed to produce energy for our bodies. Moreover, it is an essential part of the system that eliminates harmful substances and medications from the body. Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia Due to insufficient oxygen transport to ti...