Why Women Need High Iron Intake

Iron is one of the elements required in the process of formation of red blood cells. Red blood cells contain a chemical compound called hemoglobin, which serves to bring oxygen from the lungs and deliver it to all parts of the body.

In adult women, a normal hemoglobin levels are 12 to 15 grams%. In pregnant women (especially in the 3rd trimester), the need for iron is increased because the mother network expansion and formation of red blood in the fetus, as well as for iron deposits in the fetus.

When iron intake as one of these micro-nutrients is reduced, our body will experience a decrease in hemoglobin levels, which we call the anemia. Due to reduction in the number of red blood cells or amount of hemoglobin in red blood cells, blood can not carry oxygen in the body as needed.

Symptoms that arise due to lack of oxygen supply, among others pale, lack of concentration, dizzy, headaches, fatigue, lethargy, and weak. More severe anemia can lead to stroke and heart disease.

Almost the same symptoms we also experienced when we menstruate. For the time period, we lost 12-15 mg of iron element. "Therefore, the time period you need to drink blood booster vitamins. In addition to vitamins, we can meet the iron needs by eating foods that contain iron," said Dr. Ifzal Asril, SpOG, during the seminar "Little Ways to Get Healthy and intelligent "in the Hotel Gran Melia, Jakarta, Saturday (5 / 12) ago.

Some foods that contain iron are beef, lamb, chicken, fish, tuna fish, and eggs. Of these six types of food, beef and lamb highest position. In 100 grams of beef, for example, contained over 2.5 mg of iron. In addition to iron, meat also contains protein, vitamin A, zinc (zinc), Omega-3, vitamin B12, and unsaturated fats.

"Foods containing unsaturated fats that mark, the room temperature is not a solid fat," she said Fauzia S. Puspita, Nutrition Consultation from IPB, in the seminar "Let's Beef Up Your Kids' Growth with Australian Beef Meat", in place and the same day. That means, it would be better if you eat beef without any fat or lard.

In order for foods that contain iron is absorbed very well, she added, should be assisted with the intake of vitamin C. "Therefore when you eat beef, accompanied with vegetables and fruits," he said.