Hands up if you’re feeling tired even after a solid night’s sleep? Join the club! It could be an iron deficiency: a recent study shows that about one in two women are deficient in iron.
IRON RULES
Which metal is more precious: gold or iron? For the functioning of the human body, there’s no contest – iron, of course. It’s an essential trace element, which means it’s indispensable, as in, you cannot live without it.
Testament to its importance is that scientists have long known the effects of its deficiency. Iron is called a ‘trace’ element because the amounts we need of it (and the 13 others identified so far) each day is minuscule.
THE JOB DESCRIPTION FOR IRON
It may just be present in the tiniest of traces, but it’s hard-working, and its list of tasks is long. Number one on that list is helping carry oxygen round your body. Iron is a key component of haemoglobin, the protein found in your red blood cells. Haemoglobin attaches to the oxygen you breathe in and takes it from the lungs to the rest of your body. Too little iron means too few red blood cells, which in turn means too little oxygen. One telltale sign is tiredness. When the number of red blood cells drops below a certain level, it’s called iron deficiency anaemia, though you can have anaemia without having an iron deficiency.
Two knock-on effects of a lack of oxygen are lowered immunity (so you get sick more often) and a lowered ability to concentrate. The lack of iron – and oxygen – also affects your body’s ability to regulate its temperature.
Iron also helps our muscles to store and use oxygen, and forms part of enzymes that help to digest food, among other functions.
Pregnant women have a heightened need for iron, and a severe deficiency could mean a preterm or a smaller than-normal baby. These too-tiny tots are sadly at greater risk of health problems or death before they’ve even reached a year.
SO WHERE DO YOU GET IT?
Oysters! And chocolate! Yes, really.
Bu hikaye Fairlady dergisinin December 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Fairlady dergisinin December 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
'DESIRE IS NOT WHAT MATTERS'
Emily Nagoski wrote the book on women and desire - literally. And then her own sex life dried up. Here's what a prolonged sex drought (and a load of research) taught her about maintaining intimacy in a long-term relationship.
'We have to tell HARD STORIES'
Theatre director and playwright Yaël Farber is spending time in South Africa after her critically acclaimed run of King Lear at the Almeida Theatre in London. We chatted to her about the importance of the pursuit of truth.
THE WHY, THE WHICH & the wardrobe
We really got into it this month! Read on for more on the allure of a loosey-goosey jumpsuit, vintage-hunting and jingle-jangling jewellery, the best places to find quality African design and short-girl styling tips.
LIFT your GAME
Thought weightlifting was just for bodybuilders and powerlifters? Not so. In fact, 'lifting heavy shit' may be the secret to longevity, hormone regulation and mood for women through perimenopause and beyond.
TREATMENT PLAN ON YOUR MARKS
Armed with a six-month programme from Dr Nerina Wilkinson + Associates, Jennifer Morin set about tackling her sun damage and melasma.
PLAYING YOUR CARDS RIGHT
Here's how to get the most out of loyalty cards.
BIG SKY Country
Namibia. Twelve friends, five vehicles, 4000 km, thirteen days. Eight punctures, one angle grinder. One martial eagle, one full moon, one ghost town. Plenty of top-quality braais, maybe not quite enough oysters... and the best time ever.
IS YOUR HOME MAKING YOU SICK?
Leaks, damp and poor ventilation in old or poorly built new homes are being fingered for a growing health concern: mould.
HOW TO REALLY GET TO KNOW SOMEONE
The Korean word 'nunchi' describes 'the ability to be sensitive to other people's moods and thoughts'. It's an underrated skill that we seem to have lost.
How to write a memoir
Whether you want to share your experiences and insights with the world, leave a legacy or track pivotal experiences for yourself, writing your memoir can be a grand and worthwhile adventure. Here's some advice on how and where to begin.