Iron is an essential element for the human body, playing a vital role in the delivery of oxygen to its cells. Unfortunately, a lack of iron is one of the most common problems found in a typical modern diet, with up to 8% of people in the western world estimated to suffer from a deficiency.
How do you know if you might be one of these people? Here are seven telltale iron deficiency symptoms to look out for.Excessive tiredness is one of the first iron deficiency symptoms to appear. The fatigue can come in both physical and mental forms, with breathlessness, a lack of energy, and ‘brain fog’ all common variations.
All of these individual symptoms can have multiple causes, but if you recognize several signs then an iron deficiency should be your first line of inquiry. Increasing your consumption of iron-rich foods such as red meat, dark leafy greens, eggs, seeds, and nuts can alleviate mild deficiencies surprisingly quickly. However, if dietary changes have no effect, then speak to your doctor to arrange a thorough investigation into the potential causes of your symptoms.