Iron deficiency: Tips and food stuffs that will increase haemoglobin levels

Of all the minerals that your body needs daily, iron is one of the most essential. Iron is needed to…

Of all the minerals that your body needs daily, iron is one of the most essential. Iron is needed to make haemoglobin, a part of the red blood cells that helps transport oxygen and carbon dioxide. It picks up oxygen in the lungs, drives it through the bloodstream and takes it to tissues including the skin and muscles. Then, it picks up carbon dioxide and drives it back to the lungs where it is exhaled. However, if the body is not able to absorb its needed amount of iron, it becomes iron deficient. This iron deficiency may turn into what we call as anaemia, symptoms of which may include fatigue, dizziness, headache etc.

1. Vegetables
Look for green leafy vegetables like broccoli, spinach, kale, turnip greens, and collard, asparagus, mushrooms, potatoes with skin, all rich in iron.

2. Fruits
Address your iron deficiency by adding fruits and dry fruits like dates, dried apricots, berries, prunes, watermelon, pomegranate, raisins and blackcurrants in your diet.

3. Grains
Choose iron-fortified whole-grain bread, pasta, rice and cereal. Don't forget to scan these food items that contain at least 20 percent or more of the daily value for iron.

4. Nuts and seeds
All nuts and seeds contain some amount of iron. Try peanuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, almonds, flaxseeds and chia seeds as they have sufficient amount of iron.

Ndtv.com claims that these dietary tips will also help your body to load up on more iron: