We all get tired and fatigued from time to time - this does not automatically mean that we are anemic... But it is something to look out for. Prevention and early detection are crucial, as it can take months to recover from iron deficiency anemia, and return to training and competing.
What does iron do for the body??
- Iron helps maintain a healthy immune system, and helps prevent infection.
- Iron, as a hemoglobin, helps carry oxygen to, and carbon dioxide away, from all the cells in our body. Without sufficient Iron intake, you can find it hard to concentrate and feel irritable.
- Iron is a key in many energy producing systems in our bodies... without it, you can feel tired and low in energy.
- Spinach
- Almonds
- Kidney beans (high in Iron!)
- Rice
- Liver
- Any lean beef
- Lean pork chop
- Broccoli
Drinks with a good source of Iron:
- Guinness (true story... when you donate a pint of blood back home, an iron replenishing option offered = Guinness!)
Supplementation is also an option... But only if your diet is lacking.
Let us touch on Iron supplementation. There are 2 types: Medically prescribed Iron supplements, used to treat anemia etc.. and Iron used as a dietary supplement. The two must not be mixed up.
Written by: Robbie Sheehan
No comments:
Post a Comment