Iron Supplements

Curing the deficiency
Taking iron supplements or simply increasing the amount of iron rich food may be a very easy way to cure an iron deficiency, however, a doctor should always be consulted to determine if it is actually an iron deficiency and not some other type of disease. A doctor can do a simple blood test that will let you know if you are deficient. Iron rich foods include: meat, beans, nuts, raisins, fish and fortified cereals. The iron contained in meat is much more readily absorbed than that in beans and vegetables, so if you are a vegetarian, you may need more than the typical person to assure adequate iron absorption.

Iron supplements
Iron supplements can be a powerful way to cure a deficiency anemia, however, too much iron can cause more harm than good. There is a disease called hemocromatosis that actually causes your body to absorb too much iron, making iron supplements a very dangerous product. Taking too much iron can also increase your risk of infections making it even more important to consult a doctor when considering taking an iron supplement. Some signs that you are getting more iron than your body can absorb include dark stools or constipation.

Tips To Get The Best Out Of Your Vitamins

A survey by CNN found that more than half the adults questioned did not eat a healthy, balanced diet. Modern lifestyles are no doubt contributors to these statistics, and its easy to see why vitamin and mineral supplements have become so popular.

But beyond the simple bottle of multivitamins available in supermarkets, and a general acceptance that we need the basic nutrients, there is a vast use for supplements that is gaining popularity. More people are using them to prevent disease, shorten the duration of colds, and alleviate other symptoms.

But minerals and vitamins are not all benign. Some counteract the benefits of others. Some need to be taken with food, and others should be avoided when certain things are consumed. Here are some tips to get the most out of your supplements:

• Fat soluble vitamins need to be taken with food to be well absorbed. The fat soluble vitamins are vitamins A, D, and E
• Iron tablet are often poorly absorbed. Try taking them with vitamin C, or drinks or food rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits
• Tea and coffee impede the absorption of mineral supplements
• Time-released vitamins may actually provide better absorption
• Chelated minerals that are associated with organic compounds like amino acids, picolinates, or citrates are usually better absorbed than those bound with inorganic compounds like sulfates and phosphates