Are you finding it difficult to keep up your energy levels from day to day. Having to juggle between various roles, mother, wife and working professional. Living a healthy life often takes a backseat for women nowadays.
If you’re constantly feeling tired and drained on energy all the time, don’t just blame it on stress and pay a little more attention to what you have been eating or drinking. Check your hemoglobin level and you may actually be in for a major surprise.
Iron, which is a mineral, particularly plays an important role. It is responsible for producing hemoglobin in our red blood cells that supply oxygen from organ to organ, thus providing energy. Without enough iron, our body cannot produce enough hemoglobin and as a result, one might feel lethargic to carry out various daily tasks.
How does iron deficiency affect your body
1. Fatigue
Your decreased level of energy has a great deal to do with low iron content in your body. No matter how well rested you are, if you still feel lethargic, it’s a sign of iron deficiency.
2. Headaches
Headaches have become as frequent as common cold or sneezing in this present time. Perhaps there’s a more crucial reason behind the pain, and it is probably a sign you need to start paying attention to your iron intake.
3. Low body temperature
Our body’s normal temperature ranges around 37 degree Celsius. Having a temperature lower than this regularly implies that there are certain factors that are affecting the body, predisposing you to various ailments.
4. Dizziness
Have you been feeling a little extra dizzy of late. Your energy levels are hitting an all-time low and this maybe because you haven’t been meeting daily requirement of iron.
5. Brittle nails
Healthy nails are a sign of good health and iron contributes significantly to its growth and proper development. When your nails are starting to look weak and brittle it’s time to check your iron supply.
6. Makes you anemic
One of the most common outcomes of iron deficiency is called anemia, which mostly affects women. According to reports by World Health Organization (WHO) and other research bodies, 48% of women in the age group 15-49 years were found to have hemoglobin concentrations lower than 120 g/L.
Ways to improve your iron deficiency
Follow a proper balanced diet, in case the iron deficiency is as a result of diet insufficiency.
- Green leafy vegetables such as spinach and mustard green are good source of iron.
- Seasonal fruits, which include tomatoes, prunes, watermelon and apricots are great source of iron.
- Beans as well as nuts are great to add to your diet.
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