MegaFood | July 2020

When you’re not getting enough of a specific nutrient, it can be common to experience the negative effects this has on the body. In the case of low iron, the signs and symptoms can have a real impact on the quality of your day-to-day life. It is important to know what to look for, as well as what puts you at higher risk of experiencing low iron levels.

Before we get into those low iron symptoms, and the groups most impacted, it is important to remember to speak with your healthcare practitioner if you suspect you may be experiencing low iron, or any of the below symptoms.

Could I have low iron? What to look for:

1. Fatigue - the most common low iron symptom is fatigue. This is because one of iron’s most vital jobs is carrying oxygen throughout the body. When iron is too low, we’re not able to get as much oxygen into our muscles and tissues, and fatigue results.
2. Muscle weakness upon exertion - Speaking of muscles, because they are not getting enough oxygen, they are more likely to experience weakness upon exertion.
3. An inability to stay warm - With adequate oxygen and blood flow, we are able to self-regulate our heat quite well. When our iron is low, this thermoregulation can become a challenge, leading to feeling cold.
4.Heart palpitations - If you’re experiencing heart palpitations, please speak to your health care practitioner immediately. If you are experiencing any of the other symptoms as well, be sure to mention this to your doctor, as it could point to low iron.

Additional signs of low iron can include:

5. Pale skin
6. Decreased focus
7. Occasional sadness

Unfortunately, low iron is all too common, and if you fall into one or more of these categories, you’re at an elevated risk:

• Pregnant mamas - Blood volume increases throughout pregnancy, and so do our iron needs. Make sure to work with your doctor to monitor iron levels, and supplement as needed.
• Plant-based eaters - 40% of vegans and vegetarians are iron deficient, as it can be more challenging to get iron from plants than from animal sources.
• Fitness fanatics - If you’re a high-intensity athlete, you’re at a higher risk of low iron.
• Frequent blood donors - Donating blood is so important, but so is keeping your iron levels up so you can keep doing good and feeling your best. Blood loss is the biggest way we deplete iron stores.
• Menstruating people - If you experience a monthly menstrual cycle, you’re losing blood each month. Those within their menstruating years are at a higher risk of low iron as a result.

Experiencing symptoms of low iron is no fun, and while many of the iron supplements out there can cause side effects that are equally unpleasant (nausea and constipation), MegaFood offers Blood Builder®, an iron supplement clinically shown to increase iron levels without any nausea or constipation.^†* If any of this resonates with you, and you have concerns that you’re experiencing low iron levels, reach out to your healthcare practitioner to order a test, determine your status, and let MegaFood lend a helping hand if you need it!

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Our supplements, like Blood Builder®, pair vitamins and minerals with real food like organic oranges and beets. Learn more about our our process and certifications for purity, safety and quality.