Hello Everyone, I hope your day has been well.

Today, I’m sharing some information about iron because many women in their menstruating age are likely at some point to have low iron levels due to the loss of blood every month. Often the Doctor will prescribe Iron tablets which are usually quite harsh on the stomach, not only that but they can cause many side effects like tummy pain, dark stools and nausea. It is sometimes recommended to take iron tablets alongside a meal or gradually increase the dose.

I am sharing two Iron alternatives to get your levels up and help you feel more energised throughout the day. Of course I would say that food is your best option however, it is not always that effective and you would usually have to be consuming copious amounts of a specific item for it to actually make a difference. As a child, my mother introduced us to Floridax, commonly sold in a dark bottle from Holland & Barratts. The taste is okay once you get used to it and it contains fruit juice concentrates and herbal extracts. Floridax is best taken on an empty stomach, approx. 30 minutes before a meal or 2 hours after. More recently, I have become aware of Spatone, which is natural source of iron and fast absorbing. The great thing about Spatone is that it come in a box with 30 individual sachets inside so can easily carry some with you when travelling or on the go making it easier to achieve your intake.

Low Iron symptoms can include:

• Low energy
• Shortness of breath
• Headaches

Iron food soucres:

• Liver
• Oysters
• Beef
• Fortified breakfast cereals
• Kidney beans
• Lentils
• Chickpeas
• Raw cashew nuts
• Sesame seeds

Iron found in animal flesh products is called heme, which supports the body in many cardiovascular processes. Iron found in plant foods is non-heme iron, usually added to iron enriched/fortified foods. Non-heme iron is not as easily absorbed by the body therefore it is always advised to consume a varied, balanced diet. Iron helps to reduce tiredness and supports a healthy immune system and normal cognitive function.

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_{*If you feel you have any low iron related symptoms, please seek professional help.}

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