Iron, a trace mineral, supplies energy to every cell in the body. It is a key component of hemoglobin, the blood’s oxygen-carrying pigment. Iron is also found in myoglobin, which supplies oxygen to muscles, and in compounds that keep the immune system strong. This mineral is critical to sharp mental functioning. Even slight deficiencies in iron can shorten attention span and make concentration difficult.

Normally, the body gets sufficient amounts of iron from the foods you eat. It manages to self-regulate itself, storing amounts you will need by automatically absorbing more iron when the need is high, and less when levels are adequate. Nonetheless, iron deficiency is still a significant public health problem. It can occur during periods of rapid growth--infancy, adolescence, and pregnancy--which increase the body’s demand for this mineral. In addition, women who menstruate heavily tend to have lower iron levels.

A chronically iron-poor diet or any condition characterized by prolonged bleeding (even of small amounts), such as ulcers, hemorrhoids, and rectal polyps, can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. Many people develop this type of anemia, for instance, as a consequence of an NSAID-related ulcer, or one caused by months or years of regularly taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Government statistics indicate that 11% of women under age 50 and 9% of adolescents are iron-deficient. Dieters, some vegetarians, and endurance athletes may also develop iron deficiency due to the unique demands on their bodies.

Health Benefits:

When iron stores are too low, the lack of oxygen produces debilitating fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. Iron supplementation can correct the condition. (The underlying causes of bleeding should be medically treated as well, of course.) Bear in mind that a wide range of other medical conditions and other nutritional deficiencies, such as a shortage of folic acid, might also cause these symptoms.

Signs of iron deficiency anemia include:

• feeling tired and weak
• decreased work and school performance
• slow cognitive and social development during childhood
• difficulty maintaining body temperature
• decreased immune function, which increases susceptibility to infection
  glossitis (an inflamed tongue)

Who may need extra iron to prevent a deficiency?

Three groups of people are most likely to benefit from iron supplements: people with a greater need for iron, individuals who tend to lose more iron, and people who do not absorb iron normally. These individuals include:

• pregnant women
• preterm and low birth weight infants
• older infants and toddlers
• teenage girls
• women of childbearing age, especially those with heavy menstrual losses
• people with renal failure, especially those undergoing routine dialysis
• people with gastrointestinal disorders who do not absorb iron normally

LifeSource’s Iron Complex utilizes the superior Albion Labs patented. Ferrochel Iron chelates which research has demonstrated to be highly absorbed, well tolerated and non-constipating at recommended levels.

There are two forms of dietary iron: heme and nonheme. Heme iron is derived from hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that delivers oxygen to cells. Heme iron is found in animal foods that originally contained hemoglobin, such as red meats, fish, and poultry. Iron in plant foods such as lentils and beans is arranged in a chemical structure called nonheme iron. This is the form of iron added to iron-enriched and iron-fortified foods. Heme iron is absorbed better than nonheme iron, but most dietary iron is nonheme iron. A variety of heme and nonheme sources of iron are listed in Tables 1 and 2.