Flourish Health & Wellbeing Magazine - Dec23 - Flipbook - Page 37
• ea琀椀ng foods low in
dietary iron
• poor absorp琀椀on of iron
• signi昀椀cant blood loss
• using more iron than usual
during 琀椀mes of growth or
exercise
Some people are more at risk
of low iron levels.
Although people o昀琀en think
vegetarians have a higher risk
of iron de昀椀ciency anaemia,
most of the literature shows
this isn’t true. Vegetarians who
eat a balanced, healthy diet
usually aren’t at any greater risk
of developing iron de昀椀ciency
anaemia, although they do
tend to have lower iron stores.
intake. This means your body
be at risk of organ damage and
can choose to absorb more
type 2 diabetes if they store
or less of this type of iron,
too much iron.
depending on what it needs.
Those most at risk of low iron
levels include:
• people who have periods
• athletes
• infants
• adolescents
• people aged over 75
• people who are pregnant
• people with some chronic
health condi琀椀ons
If you have haemochromatosis,
Iron overload
Iron supplements
talk to your doctor about
Iron overload, or
managing your iron levels.
If you have iron de昀椀ciency
anaemia, your doctor might
recommend you take an iron
supplement. Iron supplements
can have various side e昀昀ects
and interfere with other
medica琀椀ons. Always see
your GP or an Accredited
Prac琀椀sing Die琀椀琀椀an before
taking an iron supplement.
haemochromatosis, is a
people to absorb and store
People most at risk of
low iron
too much iron in their body.
The amount of iron you need
hereditary condi琀椀on. It causes
depends on your age and
Usually, your body can safely
gender. Low iron levels can
store excess iron. But people
happen for many reasons,
with haemochromatosis can
including: