Saturday, May 29, 2010

IntraMIN Trace Minerals Explained: Iron

One of the ingredients of IntraMIN is iron. Iron is an essential part of enzymes and other proteins that are needed for good health. The proteins that makes sure oxygen is transported within our bodies need iron to function.

When we don’t get as much iron as we have, we often feel fatigued. This results to poor work performance and a lowered immunity to disease. However, when we take iron in excess, it gets more toxic. 

We use two-thirds of the iron in our body in our blood. They are part of hemoglobin, which is a protein in the red blood cells that carry oxygen in our bodies. They are also found in smaller quantities in myoglobin which is a protein that supplies oxygen to the muscles. We also store iron for our future need. Iron is very important for our blood. That’s why if we lose blood in an accident or grow rapidly, we need more iron.

Here are groups of people which will benefit from iron:

  • Babies – Babies need more iron because milk does not have enough of it. Couple this with the fact that babies experience a time of rapid growth.
  • Children – Early childhood is characterized by a period of rapid growth. That’s why young children need iron to make sure that they develop and grow properly.
  • Women of child-bearing years – Because of monthly blood losses, women need iron to make sure that they don’t develop anemia. 
  • Pregnant women – Pregnant women need more iron because they have another life growing in their womb. They also need iron three months after they give birth. Pregnant women are often prescribed iron supplements for this special time in their lives.
The great thing about our bodies is that they absorb more iron during times when we need them the most. So the more iron you need, the more it absorbs. Iron in meat, poultry, and chicken are readily absorbed by the body. When they are included in the diet, they help your body absorb iron from other foods, such as breads and cereals, cheese, legumes, nuts, and eggs. You can also combine foods rich in vitamin C to absorb more iron.

If you think that you need iron supplements, make sure that you combine them with other trace minerals. IntraMIN mineral supplement provides you with a wide range of trace minerals to make sure that your body gets all the trace minerals it needs to function properly.