Fatigued? Tired at work? Difficulty concentrating?
Fatigue and tiredness are not just symptom of overdosing on NETFLIX®. Fatigue and tiredness can be caused by many different health deficits, one of which could be iron deficiency.
It is true that certain people during specific life stages need more iron. Pregnant women, growing children, athletes to name a few. Yet have you considered that low iron may not only be assigned to these special groups? If YOU do not get enough iron from your diet then you can suffer from low iron symptoms as well.
Why is low iron linked to tiredness and fatigue?
Low iron means less oxygen! The human body needs iron to make the oxygen-carrying proteins haemoglobin and myoglobin. Haemoglobin is found in red blood cells and myoglobin in muscles.
Your body uses stored iron in the muscles, liver, spleen and bone marrow. When the iron stores become low, red blood cells become smaller and contain less haemoglobin. Less iron = less haemoglobin inside red blood cells = less oxygen is carried from the lungs throughout the body. You can see why symptoms of low iron can be tiredness, weakness, lack of energy and a problem concentrating.
Fighting fatigue through a healthy diet first.
Our body needs essential vitamins and minerals to function – the problem is that our body does not make these minerals – we must get them through our diet or through supplements.
It is mostly common knowledge that vegetarians require more iron than people who eat meat. Why is this? This is because iron from meat is more ‘bioavailable’ (easier for your body to absorb) than the iron found in plant-based foods.
If you are suffering from unusual tiredness, weakness and fatigue, is the iron in your diet sufficient?
If you have never had your iron levels checked, consider doing so. Full blood counts, Ferritin tests, Haemoglobin and Haematocrit tests are measures used to screen patients for low iron levels, iron deficiency and to identify IDA. If you have any of these symptoms, it is best to go to your doctor, as he/she will send you for the correct blood tests and advise on treatment.
Iron supplements
Iron is available in many dietary supplements. Different brands deliver varying amounts of iron per dose and use a variety of different types of iron.
What is important to know is that iron as a mineral is particularly difficult to absorb. Iron supplements typically are designed to overcome this in the type of iron used, the dose and the special ways to coat the tablet or deliver it to the body optimally.
Chela-fer® with Ferrous Bisglycinate utilises a chelated iron molecule to overcome the poor absorption of iron. This helps to boost uptake of iron by the body. Chela-fer® is an iron supplement suitable for restoring iron stores in the body and specifically indicated to help reduce tiredness and fatigue. Chela-fer® is available over-the-counter.
Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for further advice on taking iron supplements and managing your iron levels.
An iron supplement with Ferrous Bisglycinate.
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| Chela-fer® 15 mg tablets | Chela-fer® 24 mg tablets | Chela-fer® 15 mg/5 ml syrup |
Replenishes iron stores | Contributes to the decrease of tiredness and fatigue.
Available in tablets in two different strengths to suit individual needs. Suitable to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Also available in syrup formulation for children from 2 years of age.
Disclaimer: References available on file.
