From Mary Shomon Your Thyroid Guide
Simple Quiz for Iron Deficiency May Give Answer for Beating Fatigue, Says Women's & Children's Health Specialist, Dr. Cathy Carlson-Rink
October 2001 -- If you're one of the millions of
women who experience constant fatigue, an expert in women's and children's
health says taking a simple quiz for iron deficiency could be the first step
on the road to recovering your energy and vitality.
To determine whether you have an iron deficiency, simply answer "yes" or "no" to the following questions:
- Are you lacking energy?
- Are you pale?
- Do you have dark circles under your eyes?
- Do you have a decreased ability to exercise?
- Do you have ridged finger nails and/or brittle hair?
- Do you have shortness of breath with exertion?
- Does it feel like your pulse is pounding or your heart racing?
- Do you have a hard time concentrating?
- Do you suffer from dizziness or buzzing in your ears?
- Do you have increased infections?
- Is your tongue sore?
- Do you crave starch, ice, clay or dirt?
- Has your appetite decreased?
- Do you suffer from dull headaches or restless legs?
- Do you eat less that 4 cups of vegetables per day?
- Are you a vegetarian?
- Have you been on frequent weight loss diets?
"The average American women receives 8 to 10 milligrams of iron daily, but for optimum health 15 milligrams are recommended. For pregnant women, the recommended amount increases to 30 milligrams," she says.
"Red meat and organ meat are the highest sources of iron, but for those who avoid meat and those on refined carbohydrate diets, it's often a challenge to get recommended amounts of iron in the diet without using a supplement," says Dr. Carlson-Rink.
Dr. Carlson-Rink says one of the best-known iron supplements is called Floradix, used by midwives for decades to increase low iron levels in pregnant and postpartum women.
"Liquid supplements like Floradix do not need to be broken down by the body before their active ingredients can be released and absorbed," she says.
Dr. Carlson-Rink advises that infants can also demonstrate symptoms of low blood iron levels when they appear irritable, colicky, or have sleep problems.
"The best source of iron for infants is breast milk. A nursing mother should ensure her iron intake is sufficient for both her own iron needs and the iron needs of her baby," she says.
Iron deficiency creates fatigue because iron is needed for the manufacture of hemoglobin, a component of red blood cells essential for the distribution of oxygen throughout the body. Low iron levels mean less hemoglobin production and reduced availability of oxygen within the body -- making the individual feel tired and continually fatigued.
Those wanting more information on fatigue and iron deficiency can request Dr. Carlson-Rink's free book, "Energy for Life", by calling 800-446-2110. Dr. Cathy Carlson-Rink (ND) is a member of the College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia and a licensed Midwife, specializing in women's and children's health.
Press Release / Source: PRNewswire
