Posts Tagged ‘Iron Supplementation’

Iron Deficiency and Liver Extract

Comments: 0November 2nd, 2010 by admin



Iron is a very critical component in the biochemical modalities of the human body. Iron is an essential part of RBC in the form of Hemoglobin. Basically hemoglobin is concerned with the transport of Oxygen to the tissues where it is used for various metabolic activities. Iron is also very important component in various enzymes produced in the body. It is also very important in DNA synthesis. The quantity of Hemoglobin is measured by a scale known as Hb scale. The Hb count in men is 13 to 16 while it is 10 to 12 in women. Iron deficiency can cause a type of Anemia. Anemia can be caused by other factors like deficiency of folic acid, poor absorption in the GI tract or more serious causes like leukemia.

Expectant and lactating mothers are more prone to Anemia. Women in third world countries are more prone to anemia. Similarly in geriatrics, lack of HCl secretions results in anemia caused by poor absorption of Iron. Bleeding piles and Gums are also one of the causes of Anemia. Studies have shown that 30 to 50% people in this group suffer from Anemia of varying degrees.

Anemia can also be caused by situations where there is an abrupt increase requirement of Iron by the body. Such situations can arise during pregnancy, adolescent growth and after debilitating like Typhoid or, malaria which is preceded by massive lyses of RBC. Pregnancy requires massive amounts of Iron and it is fulfilled by Iron supplementation. Vegetarianism is also, a major cause of Anemia.

The low income population is also vulnerable to iron deficiency. An iron deficient diet, coupled with poor absorption can cause anemia. Use of antacid can also hinder Iron absorption. Diarrhea, removal of a part of the GI tract can also give less surface are for absorption.

Anemia caused due iron deficiency can be easily diagnosed by the symptoms it offers. Since Iron is an important component of Hemoglobin therefore any deficiency causes breathlessness and tiredness. Anemia severely restricts the ability to do physical labor. Other function of the body is also affected. The immune system is affected

Liver Extracts have been used since long for iron deficiency anemia. The extract is usually prepared from bovine or pig liver. Since the iron is from an organic source it is readily assimilated by the body. Iron from an inorganic source is poorly absorbed by the body. Besides inorganic iron causes GI disturbances and constipation.

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Women’s Health and Weight Loss Tip #3: The Importance of Iron in a Woman’s Diet

Comments: 0July 16th, 2010 by admin



One of the biggest weaknesses of the traditional commercial diet is the lack of iron that exists in its stringent and often excessively limited eating guidelines. In order to lose weight, many unsuspecting women get bamboozled into taking part in weight loss programs that cut out many of the nutrients that they need. Iron is one of the primary
casualties of such diets and weight loss plans.

The plot thickens for women in particular due to the fact that their bodies regularly lose iron during menstruation. Therefore, eating a low-calorie, low-iron diet in an effort to lose weight only makes the problem more severe.

It is generally suggested that women supplement their diets with an iron supplement such as the Vitality multivitamin offered by Melaleuca, the Wellness Company. This is particularly important during periods of heavy exercise and training that are typical aspects of any weight loss program or general effort to lose weight even when a special program is not in use.

One thing to be on guard for, however, is excessive iron supplementation by iron-deficient (non-anemic) women. There is a disorder known as hemosiderosis which results from large deposits of iron made in the liver that causes a glitch in the proper metabolism of the iron itself. Avoiding prolonged large doses will eliminate the risk of this particular disorder.

Below are a few recommendations from the American Council on Exercise (ACE) that will help you to make sure you get the adequate amount of iron intake in your daily diet, whether on a program to lose weight or not:

Eat foods with a high vitamin C content with all meals. Vitamin C aids in the absorption of iron. (examples: salsa; chili peppers; oranges) Include dark meat chick and/or turkey in the training diet. Both of these are rich in iron Vegetable proteins such as split pea soup or chili beans with lean meat help the iron in those meats to properly absorb When eating starchy carbohydrates such as cereals, breads, and pastas, gravitate to those labeled “enriched” or “fortified” for their higher iron content.

To YourBestBody,

Lawrence Cole

Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach

YourBestBodyNOW.com

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Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms – How they Could Save Your Health

Comments: 0April 29th, 2009 by admin



Involved in complex cell metabolism, cyanocobalamin, popularly known as vitamin B12, has a bit of a rough time being absorbed by the body. A chemical located in the stomach called “intrinsic factor” processes B12, and anything affecting your ability to produce intrinsic factor can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency. In this article, we’ll look at the symptoms of this condition, what causes it, and the reason why it may actually be beneficial if you get it. Sort of.

Through a complicated exchange of molecules, vitamin B12 processes energy in your body’s cells. It’s absolutely necessary for life. Unfortunately, some people may become deficient in it for several reasons. If you have an inflammatory disease that affects the stomach, for instance, you may be lacking in the vital intrinsic factor necessary for vitamin B12 absorption. Also, since B12 comes from animal products, you may be deficient if you are a vegetarian who doesn’t eat dairy products. In one study, the diabetes medication metformin negatively affects B12 levels.

So you may be lacking in B12. What happens next? Do you feel it?

The main symptoms are weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, and possibly a pale skin color. These are the symptoms of anemia, and B12 deficiency causes a condition called “pernicious anemia.” Plain old anemia is caused by a lack of iron in the blood, and is treated with iron supplementation. But pernicious anemia does not respond to iron, as it’s directly caused by a lack of B12. So, as you can guess, B12 is the cure for pernicious anemia. But the appearance of this disease may actually be considered a fortunate event.

Having low levels of B12 for a long duration eventually leads to neurological damage. This usually manifests itself in the form of tingling in your hands and feet, and possibly clumsiness while walking. This is permanent nerve damage. Which is why pernicious anemia can actually be seen as a good thing. It acts as a “warning sign” that permanent nerve damage is coming if you don’t do something to correct the situation.

But there’s a caveat.

The B class of vitamins has eight members, and they all work in harmony in the body and is the reason you may often see reference to a supplement as “vitamin B complex.” Among these separate but similar vitamins is one called folic acid, or just folate. Folate is actually vitamin B9, and supplementation with it may have a rather serious side effect in certain circumstances. The problem is that it staves off pernicious anemia. So let’s say you were taking a B9 supplement, or you just happen to have naturally high levels of folate, perhaps from the food you eat. Let’s further suppose you are, unbeknownst to you, deficient in vitamin B12.

Now we have a dangerous problem. You will never get the usual deficiency symptoms, but you will eventually get permanent neurological damage. The folate cancels out your “convenient” anemia symptoms and allows the condition to advance well beyond where it would have.

What should you do, then? If you suspect you may be deficient in vitamin B12, please see a doctor. Oral supplements are not efficient enough at being absorbed to bring your B12 levels back to normal. Only injections, and in some cases a large amount of sublingual B12 supplements, can cure B12 deficiency. And if you are taking folate (vitamin B9) alone, consider switching to a B complex to make sure you are getting enough B12 as well.

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