In this short article, we will answer the question “What are the 3 stages of iron deficiency” and show you how may food be used to treat iron deficiency.
Iron deficiency, which is characterized by a shortage of red blood cells in the blood and limits the amount of oxygen reaching the organs, commonly manifests as weakness, fatigue, and headaches.
More than two billion people globally are affected by this, making it one of the major public health issues. Numerous factors contribute to this, including a lack of one or more vital nutrients.
Therefore, it is crucial to constantly seek the advice of a specialist, who will suggest the best course of action for each case.
What are the 3 stages of iron deficiency?
According to theory, iron deficiency develops after three stages of gradual and growing iron shortage in the body.
The first stage, iron depletion, has an impact on the deposits and is a time when they are more vulnerable to the marginal iron balance, which could eventually lead to a more severe deficiency with functional repercussions.
Even though the concentration of haemoglobin is not decreased, the second stage of iron deficiency, known as iron-deficient erythropoiesis, is characterised by biochemical alterations.
These biochemical alterations reflect the insufficiency of iron for the normal generation of haemoglobin and other ferrous components.
The body’s ability to operate is damaged during the third and final stage of iron deficiency anaemia, which is defined by a decline in haemoglobin levels. The more severe the decline, the greater the functional damage.
In order to diagnose the iron nutritional status of individuals or communities, a number of haematological and biochemical indicators that represent the three stages of iron insufficiency can be utilised alone or in combination.
None of them is sensitive enough or specific enough when utilised independently.
How may food be used to treat iron deficiency?
Put it on the menu:
Meat:
All meats contain iron, but red meat has a higher concentration than other meats. However, since eating red meat frequently is unhealthy due to cholesterol and even cancer, it’s also important to diversify your protein sources by consuming chicken or fish.
100 g is advised per meal (or a palm-sized steak).
Liver
A modest amount is sufficient to boost the levels of haemoglobin in the blood due to its high iron concentration. Just be sure it’s a brand-new, high-quality item.
Due to its high cholesterol content, it should only be used as a substitute for red meat once a week at most. Per meal, consume up to 100g, or three tablespoons if it has been crushed or shredded.
Spinach
Due to its high iron content, this is one of the greatest foods (of plant origin) to combat anaemia. It also contains vitamin A, folic acid, and vitamin B12, all of which prevent the production of red blood cells.
Other dark green vegetables that are also good sources of iron in vegetables are broccoli and escarole.
Beetroot
Many people think it is the best substance for preventing iron anaemia since it resembles blood in colour, although it contains less of the mineral.
It does, however, guarantee a sufficient intake of folic acid, which, along with vitamin B12, aids in the production of red blood cells.
Citrus fruits
They are abundant in vitamin C, which is crucial for improving the absorption of iron. The advice is to consume lemon juice throughout the main course or dessert, such as an orange, kiwi, strawberry, or guava.
Another way to get this vitamin C supply is to squeeze a lemon over the meat just before eating it.
Tomatoes have a lot of beta-carotene, vitamin E, and fibre, all of which are excellent for general health, in addition to vitamin C, which is necessary for the absorption of iron from diet.
To guarantee the best possible iron absorption, it is advised to consume at least one raw tomato each day.
Beans and chickpeas
For vegans, beans and chickpeas are excellent sources of iron. Additionally, because they include folic acid and vitamin C, they are choices to raise haemoglobin levels.
Conclusion:
In this short article, we have answered the question “What are the 3 stages of iron deficiency” and showed you how may food be used to treat iron deficiency.