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Iron

Why We Need It

Iron is a mineral that is found in every cell in the body. It is an essential part of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all the cells. Our cells use oxygen to make energy from the food we eat. Iron also is needed to keep the immune system healthy and help brain cells work normally.

Sources

Here are some foods and the amount of iron they contain.

Sources of Iron

Food Iron (mg per serving)
fortified cereal, 1 cup 5-30
clams, canned, ¼ cup 11
liverwurst, 2 oz 6
baked beans, canned, 1 cup 4
beef burrito, 1 3
lean sirloin, broiled, 3 oz 3
wheat germ, ¼ cup 3
prune juice, ¾ cup 2
bean burrito, 1 2
beef, lean ground, cooked, 3 oz 2
white rice, enriched, ½ cup 1
mg = milligrams
oz = ounces
Collard greens are an excellent source of iron. Photo credit: Pixabay

Collard greens.
Photo credit: Pixabay

Both animal and plant foods contain iron, but our bodies absorb the iron from meats better than from plants. To increase the amount of iron absorbed from plant foods, eat them with foods rich in vitamin C or with meat, poultry, or fish. Some foods high in vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, and peppers.

There are two forms of dietary iron: heme and nonheme. Heme iron is found in animal foods such as red meats, fish, and poultry. Plant foods such as lentils, green leafy vegetables, and beans contain nonheme iron, and it is what is added to iron-enriched and iron-fortified foods.

Heme iron from animal foods is absorbed better than nonheme iron from iron-rich plant foods. However, most dietary iron is nonheme iron.

Recommended Daily Intakes of Iron

Age Iron*
Infants birth-6 months 0.27
6 months-1 year 11
Children 1-3 years 7
4-8 years 10
Males 9-13 years 9-13 years
14-18 years 14-18 years
19 years and over 19 years and over
Females 9-13 years 8
14-18 years 15
19-50 years 18
51 years and over 8
pregnant 27
breastfeeding ≤ 18 10
19-50 9
mg = milligrams

*Vegetarians should get 1.8 times the normal requirement for iron. For example, vegetarian men need 14 mg of iron per day (8 mg x 1.8 = 14).

Source: adapted from the Dietary Reference Intakes series, National Academies Press. Copyright 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, by the National Academies of Sciences

Women of childbearing age who may become pregnant and adolescent females should eat:

  • foods that are a source of heme-iron (e.g., meats) and/or
  • iron-rich plant foods (e.g., cooked dry beans or spinach) or
  • iron-fortified foods (e.g., fortified cereals) along with a source of vitamin C.

Iron in the Vegetarian Diet

Vegetarian diets lack factors from meat that improve iron absorption. Therefore, vegetarians need to consume plant sources of foods that contain nonheme iron, such as iron-fortified cereals and bread, tofu, cooked dry beans and peas, and some dark green leafy vegetables.

In order to increase iron absorption, a vitamin C-rich food should be included with every meal. Oranges, cantaloupe, strawberries, green pepper, and broccoli are examples of vitamin C-rich foods.

Cooking food in cast iron pots or skillets allows some of the iron to pass into the food, especially in foods that are high in acid, such as tomatoes, citrus foods, and vinegar. Simmering foods, like soups and stews, for a while in iron pots or skillets help dissolve small amounts of iron from the pot into the cooking liquids.

If We Don’t Get Enough

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world. Severe iron deficiency can lead to one type of anemia. Iron deficiency can be caused by several factors, including:

  • not getting enough iron in the diet
  • not absorbing iron properly
  • losing blood from injury or illness

Red blood cells must contain adequate iron in order to carry enough oxygen to other body cells.

Signs of an iron deficiency include:

  • fatigue
  • infections
  • muscle weakness
  • lack of ability to concentrate

Supplements

Iron supplements are sometimes needed, including pregnant women and people with an iron deficiency. If you do not get enough iron from food, then you may choose to take a multivitamin/mineral supplement that contains iron. An overdose of iron can be fatal, so always keep supplements out of the reach of children and talk to your doctor before beginning any supplements.

Too much iron can be toxic to the body. It may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. The liver can be damaged by consuming too much iron over an extended period of time.

Too much iron from supplements also can reduce the amount of zinc that the body can absorb. You should not get more than 45 mg of iron per day from food and supplements.

For More Information

The Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) agent at your county Extension office may have more written information and nutrition classes for you to attend. Also, your doctor, health care provider, or a registered dietitian (RD) can provide reliable information.

Reliable nutrition information may be found on the internet at the following sites:

Home & Garden Information Center
http://www.eatright.org
http://www.nutrition.gov/
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic

Originally published 07/07

If this document didn’t answer your questions, please contact HGIC at hgic@clemson.edu or 1-888-656-9988.

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