Preparations for the absorption of iron in the body. Something with something, or how vitamin A, iron and calcium are better absorbed

Every person in this world wants to be healthy.

But the body by nature is built in such a way that if it does not have enough of at least one element according to the periodic table, then diseases are guaranteed.

Moreover various types. You and I have already found out.

I wonder what will happen to the human body if there is a noticeable lack of iron in the body? So…

Consequences of iron deficiency in the human body:

The following epithelial tissues are particularly vulnerable to iron deficiency in the body: :

Airways
mucous membranes of the oral cavity
mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract

IN human body contains approximately two to five grams of iron. The amount of iron depends on the level of hemoglobin, weight and height, as well as gender and age. There is especially a lot of iron in blood hemoglobin - approximately two-thirds of total number, and the rest of the iron is stored in tissues and internal organs, as a rule, mainly in the liver.

Iron, which comes with food, is absorbed in the intestines and is also transferred to the blood vessels. There's something special that grabs you transport protein, which is called transferrin. It performs a function similar to that of hemoglobin, only it does not transport oxygen, but transports iron.

Iron is mainly transported to Bone marrow, where blood bone cells are stably and constantly formed. The lifespan of these bodies is approximately one hundred and twenty days. A small part ends up in the spleen and liver, where it is located and stored as a reserve fund. The remaining part, a small part, of the iron goes to the formation of some tissue respiration enzymes and the formation of myoglobin.

For men, in order to avoid anemia, you only need to replenish iron losses daily. These losses occur due to the continuous exfoliation of cells of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. Updates occur approximately every two to three days. In men, iron loss is approximately one mg per day. It seems logical that exactly the same amount is needed to make up for losses. But in reality this is not the case, and you need to consume a lot of iron Furthermore amount that is consumed. And this happens for two main reasons:

Firstly, of all the iron that enters the human body, approximately ten percent is absorbed. Therefore, in order for only one mg to be absorbed, it is necessary to obtain approximately ten mg of iron from a variety of foods. This is just the norm for an adult man.

Secondly, some iron is not absorbed at all.

What is the daily requirement of the human body for iron?

So, the daily requirement for iron is:

children under fourteen years old - from four to eighteen mg
boys from fourteen to eighteen years old - eleven mg
girls from fourteen to eighteen years old - fifteen mg
men from eighteen to fifty years old - ten mg
women from eighteen to fifty years old - eighteen mg
pregnant women - thirty three mg
nursing women - thirty eight mg
men over fifty years of age - eight mg
women over fifty years of age - eight mg.

It is important to know and not forget that the toxic dose of iron for humans is two hundred mg, and the lethal dose of iron for humans is from seven to thirty grams.

There are two types of iron:

The first type is heme. It is part of hemoglobin. This iron is absorbed almost completely. Heme iron is found in the following foods:

kidneys
liver
dried blood
blood sausage

The second type is non-heme. It is in ionic free form:

divalent - Fe II
trivalent - Fe III

Non-heme iron is found in plant foods, as well as in iron-containing preparations. It is much less absorbed compared to heme iron. And therefore, in order for the human body to absorb it at least somehow, this iron must be divalent. And trivalent iron is not absorbed absolutely. In order to convert ferric iron to ferrous iron, a reducing agent is required. Its role is played by vitamin C, for example ascorbic acid.

Among plant foods, legumes are the richest in iron, namely soybeans and beans. But since they contain very little essential vitamin C, therefore, for the best absorption of the iron present in them, they should be consumed with vegetables or fruits, herbs.

Thus, a person receives up to approximately twenty percent of iron from meat foods, and only about six percent from plant foods. Therefore, those people who are vegetarians take great risks with their health. This must also be taken into account by those who want to become a vegetarian.

Women need iron much more than men, almost twice as much. According to scientists, for example, a non-pregnant woman needs to receive about fifteen to eighteen mg per day. And this amount of iron in women is due to the fact that a significant amount of it is lost during menstruation.

As for pregnant women, they need double the amount of iron, since at this time it is spent not only to cover the increased need for this element female body, but is also used to provide the necessary iron to the fetus inside the woman.

Small children have a much greater need for iron per kilogram of body weight than adults. Because a child's body requires iron for growing tissues.

Eg:

a small child in the first half of his life should take six mg of iron. That's about sixty percent of daily requirement one adult.
a small child in the second half of his life should take ten mg of iron. This is the norm for one adult.
V adolescence and in adolescence, the norm of iron consumed reaches twelve mg.

Based on these data, we can conclude that children need iron much more, especially in quantity, than adults.

What are the external manifestations of iron deficiency in the body:

pallor of the mucous membranes
pale skin
dry skin
blue lip color
stomatitis
brittle nails
hair fragility
frequent acute respiratory diseases
dyspnea
lethargy
feeling tired all the time
unstable chair
decreased emotional tone
loss of appetite
tachycardia
indigestion
muscle hypotonia
urinary incontinence in children at night
urinary incontinence when laughing or sneezing
lag in mental development And physical development in children
loss of taste
increased sensitivity to cold
presence painful sensations all over the body.

Important functions of iron, role and importance of iron in the human body:

IN human body iron performs a considerable amount functions, and also participates in a wide variety of processes:

Iron, found in hemoglobin, helps red blood cells bind oxygen much better, as well as deliver oxygen to all parts and corners of the human body. For this reason full life and cell respiration are possible.
Iron in the human body can accumulate, so it can use this element when necessary. And it accumulates in organs such as the liver, spleen, and bone marrow.
Iron is involved in the functioning of the thyroid gland and also supports good level immune protection. And more specifically - cellular immunity And local immunity are preserved if there is enough of this element in the human body.
Depends on iron active actions enzymes that take part in the destruction and destruction of pathogenic microbes and foreign particles when they enter the human body. This is how the process of phagocytosis occurs. Cells that are capable of capturing and at the same time digesting harmful and foreign substances, as well as other already destroyed cells, are called phagocytes. The ability of blood serum to protect itself from pathogenic bacteria depends on the activity of these cells.
Iron favorably promotes the removal of toxins from the human body.
The necessary element takes part in regeneration processes.
Iron improves the skin condition and structure of nails, as well as hair.
Iron is found in many proteins and enzymes that the human body needs. With the help of iron, DNA synthesis and cholesterol metabolism are controlled and tested, as well as reduction-oxidation reactions. In addition, energy exchange takes place in the cells, and the process of occurrence and formation of free radicals slows down.

What foods contain iron, as well as sources of this important element:

beef liver - 9 mg
beef - 3.1
veal liver - 9 mg
pork liver - 19 mg
pork - 2 mg
chicken liver - 8.5 mg
lamb - 2.0 mg
lungs - 10 mg
pumpkin seeds - 14 mg
chicken heart - 6.2 mg
sesame - 11.5
chicken - 2.1 mg
white fish - 4 mg
shellfish - 2 mg
eggs, yolk - 7.2 mg
quail eggs - 3.2
buckwheat - 8.3
cocoa - 12.5 mg
molasses - 19.5 mg
dried mushrooms - 35 mg
fresh mushrooms - 5.2 mg
brewer's yeast - 18.1 mg
tongue - 5 mg
rye grains - 3 mg
wheat grains - 5 mg
almonds - 4.4 mg
onion - 6.7 mg
corn - 2.4 mg
cockerel - 7 mg
celery - 6.5 mg
turnip - 1.2 mg
young radish tops - 3 mg
carrots - 0.9 mg
mustard - 3.4 mg
halva - 6.4 mg
sorrel - 7 mg
lettuce leaves - 4.9 mg
nettle - 4.3 mg
horseradish - 5.2 mg
dandelion leaves - 1.8 mg
- 2.3 mg
peas - 7 mg
cauliflower - 3.7 mg
white cabbage - 4.3 mg
seaweed - 16 mg
green peas - 5.2 mg
rabbit meat - 4.4 mg
beans - 5.9 mg
cucumbers - 2.5 mg
hematogen - 4 mg
lentils - 11.8 mg
raw tomatoes and tomatoes - 6 mg
black caviar - 2.5 mg
beans - 5.5 mg
strawberry - 1.8 mg
raisins - 3.8 mg
quince - 5 mg
strawberry - 1.7 mg
chocolate - 2.3 mg
pasta - 1.7 mg
apples - 2.2 mg
apricots - 4.6 mg
peaches - 4.1 mg
pear - 2.6 mg
bananas - 0.8 mg
blueberries - 7 mg
blackberry - 3.6 mg
raspberry - 1.7 mg
cherry - 2.4 mg
black currant - 5.2 mg
beets - 3 mg
spinach - 3.6 mg
plum - 2 mg
pumpkin - 1.7 mg
potatoes - 0.8 mg
dried fruits, dried apricots - 4.7 mg
rye bread - 3.8 mg
wheat bread - 1.9 mg
walnut - 2.9 mg

How does iron absorption occur?

Iron absorption, interestingly, can occur in different ways. For this reason, although a normal balanced diet can provide the necessary and necessary amount of this element, some people will still feel a lack of iron.

The iron found in red meat is called “organic.” The iron in such meat is much absorbed better than iron from plants. And iron from plants is called, accordingly, “inorganic”. While iron from meat products and various cereals is quite difficult to absorb, while frequent and regular use, for example, celery can restore and restore the balance of iron in the human body in just a few weeks. Intestinal absorption of iron may be slower in the presence of phytic acid and oxalic acid. And vitamin C, as well as B vitamins, contribute to better absorption of this element.

IN children's body Iron reserves are, of course, small. Therefore, small children need to receive iron, which is easily absorbed. IN otherwise children’s organs, their tissues and blood will simply not be in the best and healthy condition. But, unfortunately, in modern times There are more and more young children who, from the first years of their lives, suffer from irritability, anemia, and loss of appetite.

Causes of iron deficiency?

nose bleed
renal bleeding
ulcer bleeding
various operations
various injuries
menstruation
pregnancy
breast-feeding
violation cellular respiration which develops due to lack of motor activity
Not proper nutrition
"fashionable" diets
regular and frequent use refined products
frequent consumption of foods rich in phosphates, such as sugar, white rice, white bread, canned food, baked goods made from white flour, useless sweets.

What is dangerous about an excess of iron in the human body?

Firstly, an excess of iron leads to acute poisoning.

Secondly, excessive amounts of the element can be fatal.

Third, inflammatory processes in the liver are ensured.

Fourth, an excess of iron leads to the development of diseases such as cancer.

Fifthly, a large number of iron in the human body promises development coronary disease hearts.

What foods are iron well absorbed with:

vitamin C
citrus juice
rose hip juice
dill greens
parsley
onion
green onions
animal products
unrefined products
B vitamins
celery

Iron does not mix well with the following foods:

vitamin E
phosphates
calcium
milk

Interesting fact from history...

Back in nineteen forty-one, the United States of America entered the war. And then the National Defense Conference on Nutrition made the following decision: it is necessary to fortify flour, as well as bread, with iron. This was done for the reason to avoid such a disease as anemia among the American population. Fatigue is the first sign of iron deficiency, and in addition it is a sign of caused anemia. War does not forgive tired people.

But at that time in America only flour and bread were produced white, while the most valuable part the grain simply went to waste. One kilogram of wholemeal flour from unrefined grains contains approximately thirty mg of iron. One kilogram of refined flour contains approximately 8.2 mg of refined grain. And one kilogram of enriched flour should contain about twenty-six mg of iron.

In 1968 - 1970, testing of this action began in ten states of the United States of America. As a result, approximately thirty thousand families who consumed bread and flour fortified with iron were carefully examined. And everyone was found to have iron deficiency in their bodies.

Remember the importance and necessary role iron in the human body! Be healthy and don’t try to get sick! Be happy and enjoy life!

This often happens: you seem to be eating right, but you still don’t have enough iron and calcium. As a result, doctors stubbornly diagnose anemia, and body composition analyzer scales continue to indicate calcium deficiency in the body. What to do? Where did the nutritional mistake go? How to adjust your diet to get rid of these problems once and for all? Find answers to these questions in this article...

What interferes with iron absorption?

If you have been diagnosed with anemia, and you expect that consuming iron-containing foods will quickly correct the situation, then, unfortunately, we have to disappoint you. It is not always possible to quickly compensate for the lack of iron in the body, since the absorption of iron has its own subtleties.

First, it is very important to understand why anemia occurs. Not every anemia is a consequence of iron deficiency, so if your hemoglobin level is low, you need to check your hemoglobin levels. serum iron in blood. If iron deficiency is confirmed, then you will actually have to replenish its reserves. And this must be done according to special rules.

It should be borne in mind that our body best absorbs divalent iron, and in order to absorb trivalent iron, it needs additional energy, which is sometimes lacking when health is weakened by anemia. That's why grenades and pomegranate juice containing ferric iron do not always effectively combat anemia.

The same applies to iron-based medicines - it is important to know exactly what valency of iron is used in the manufacture of this medicine.

In addition to valence, the transport of iron from the stomach into the blood also plays an important role. internal environment body. In iron binding important have mucopolysaccharides that are involved in the transport of iron. If iron is not bound to mucopolysaccharides in the stomach, then it will continue to transit through the intestines without bringing benefit to your body.

Difficulties in binding iron and mucopolysaccharides may arise if there are any inflammatory diseases stomach or problems with its mucous membrane.

It is also worth considering that an increase in hemoglobin occurs not only due to iron, but also due to the production of the hormone erythropoietin by the kidneys. If the kidneys are not working well, or a person has some kind of kidney disease, then the production of this hormone may be difficult.

Erythropoietin synthesis is also influenced by stress. People who constantly worry and experience irritation have a much harder time with anemia and take a long time to get rid of it.

Our diet also affects the absorption of iron. For example, a combination of foods containing calcium and magnesium with foods rich in iron is unacceptable, since in this company iron is almost not absorbed. You need to eat foods or vitamins with calcium and magnesium either two hours before consuming iron-containing foods or vitamins, or two hours after.

That's why rich in iron beef or liver should not be combined with dairy products
foods containing calcium, as well as cereals and nuts, which are high in magnesium.

Normal absorption of iron will never take place with high consumption of caffeine and tannin. This means that tea and coffee will have to be significantly limited during the treatment of anemia, and especially not washed down with meals with them. high content iron or iron-containing vitamins.

Corn, wheat, soybeans and eggs are also not good companions for iron, as they contain phosphates and phytates, which impair the absorption of iron from the stomach into the blood. The same can be said about oxalic acid, which is abundant in spinach, sorrel and blueberries.

One last tip: try not to eat iron-containing foods with foods that are high in dietary fiber. This will complicate the entire digestion process and the process of iron absorption as well.

What helps iron absorption?

When all problems with iron absorption are resolved or prevented, you need to think about the transport of iron in the blood. For good transport of iron, copper is necessary. It is this that ensures the high-quality production of cerulloplasmin, an element that transports iron. Therefore, iron deficiency is often a consequence of a lack of copper in the body and, as a result, a lack of important cerulloplasmin.

Don't forget about the importance of zinc and cobalt for the absorption of iron, which can be found in liver, cocoa and seafood. And, of course, when fighting anemia you cannot do without ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Vitamin C helps iron to be absorbed well, which is the reason for its frequent inclusion in iron-containing preparations.

Finding ascorbic acid in its natural form is quite simple: lemons, oranges, apples, grapefruits, kiwis, wild strawberries, strawberries, bell peppers, tomatoes and cauliflower are rich in it.

It should also be borne in mind that any nutrition consultant who has completed courses in dietetics will advise combining iron with folic acid, which ranks second in a number of causes of development iron deficiency anemia. There is a lot of folic acid in parsley, young nettles and dried apricots.

What interferes with calcium absorption?

Calcium deficiency is just as insidious as iron deficiency. There are so many nuances in its assimilation. For example, doctors have long established that normal absorption of calcium is facilitated exclusively by physical activity. In other words, if the muscles do not work, then you should not expect that calcium will be well absorbed from food or vitamins.

So osteoporosis, a disease characterized by brittle bones, can occur against the background of calcium deficiency and lack of physical activity even at 30 years of age. It is unlikely that even greater arguments are needed for playing sports.

Do not forget that the absorption of calcium is hindered by nicotine, alcohol, caffeine and carbonated drinks, which remove calcium through the kidneys even before it is absorbed into the blood.

Please note that foods rich in sodium and phosphorus are also not best company for calcium – they contribute to it rapid loss. The same can be said for oxalic acid. But, fortunately, oxalic acid easily neutralized with heat treatment products.

What helps calcium absorption?

In first place is, of course, physical activity. We have already said that without regular work muscular system there will be no normal absorption of calcium.

Secondly, vitamin D3 is absolutely necessary for the absorption of calcium, which
produced in the body only under the influence sun rays. If there is not enough sun, then vitamin D3 will have to be found in pharmaceutical preparations.

And don't forget about magnesium, which can be found in nuts, bran, brown bread, oatmeal, peas, legumes and brown rice.

Now you are not afraid of any difficulties in the fight against anemia and calcium deficiency. Enjoy proper nutrition and stay healthy!

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Iron is essential for human health, as it is part of hemoglobin. Main function chemical element- is the transfer of oxygen through the bloodstream from the lungs to other organs. When it is deficient, the entire body suffers. Therefore, iron-containing foods must be present in the diet.

Important! In the absence of iron supplied from outside with food, hemoglobin, the only substance that is capable of binding oxygen molecules, is not formed in red blood cells.

Daily iron requirements

Both deficiency and excess of iron are dangerous for the body.

With iron deficiency, iron deficiency anemia develops, which is characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin levels and total number red blood cells.

This dangerous pathology, which can lead to oxygen starvation, which in turn will lead to dysfunction of the heart, kidneys, liver, and to the accumulation of toxic substances in the body that are dangerous to the brain. The development of hypoxic coma will lead to encephalopathy and death of the patient.

During pregnancy, iron deficiency can cause:

miscarriage and premature birth;
pronounced gestosis;
placental abruption and blood loss;
weakening of labor.

With iron deficiency, a child experiences:

frequent infectious diseases;
allergy;
decline in academic performance;
lack of concentration;
drowsiness.

Usually, when there is a lack of iron in the body, there are no symptoms. specific symptoms and a person finds out about it by chance when passing general analysis blood during a routine examination.

Sometimes, with iron deficiency, a patient may experience the following symptoms:

noise in ears;
asthenia;
headache;
lack of oxygen;
poor appetite.

Iron should be present in the diet of any person. But the element is especially important for the following categories of citizens:

pregnant women;
women during menstrual bleeding;
children;
patients of the older age group;
patients who have undergone illness or surgical treatment.

To eliminate the lack of iron in the body, it is necessary to include iron-containing foods in the diet, and severe cases Your doctor may prescribe iron supplements.

But an excess of the chemical element is also dangerous to health.

Iron intake rates depend on age and gender:

for children they range from 6.9 to 12 mg per day;
the daily norm for women is 8-15 mg, during pregnancy and breastfeeding it increases to 30 mg;
The daily intake for men varies from 8 to 11 mg.

In case of an overdose of a chemical element, the following symptoms of poisoning are observed:

dyspeptic disorders such as nausea and vomiting;
hypotension;

Important! Excess iron in the body increases the likelihood of developing myocardial infarction, especially in women after menopause and in middle-aged and elderly men.

Iron-rich foods

Doctors distinguish between two types of iron that are absorbed by the human body:

Heme iron, found in animal foods. Up to 35% of it is absorbed from iron-containing foods.
Non-heme iron is found in plant foods. 2-10% of the element is absorbed from foods, but this form is considered more gentle and dietary.

The list of iron-containing products is quite extensive.

Most of it is found in meat, namely beef, slightly less in pork and veal.

Of the by-products, there is a lot of it in the liver.

A short list of iron-containing foods looks like this:

Animal products: beef, pork, veal, offal (kidneys, heart, tongue), fish, poultry.
Important! Meat and fish contain a lot of cyanocobalamin, which is necessary for the formation of red blood cells. And hemoglobin is known to be part of red blood cells and following vitamin B12 deficiency also leads to anemia.
Buckwheat and legumes.
Greens and vegetables: all green vegetables, tomato, baked new jacket potatoes, onions, pumpkin, beets, parsley, spinach, watercress.
Fruits and berries: banana, apple, plum, pear, pomegranate, peach, apricot, persimmon, blackcurrant, cranberry, victoria, strawberry, blueberry.
Beetroot, carrot and pomegranate juice.
Dried fruits, walnuts, caviar, hematogen, chicken yolk, seafood, dark chocolate, dried mushrooms.

Half of women experience iron deficiency in their bodies during pregnancy due to insufficient consumption of iron-containing foods. What is especially dangerous in II and III trimester, since it is iron that is necessary for the normal functioning of the placenta.

A pregnant woman's menu must include seafood, especially kelp and shellfish. IN seaweed Not only is there a lot of iron, but it is also in an easily digestible form.

Also, the diet should include meat; those who do not eat it are recommended to eat more buckwheat, dried mushrooms, wheat bran, prunes, dried apricots, vegetables and fruits.

Important! It is not recommended for pregnant women to eat a lot of liver, as it is rich in retinol, which can negatively affect the development of the fetus and lead to congenital pathologies. It is precisely because of the vitamin A content that hematogen is contraindicated for pregnant women. Instead of vitamin A pure form During the period of bearing a child, it is recommended to consume pro-vitamin A - beta-carotene, contained in carrots and other products of plant origin.

You can replenish iron deficiency in a nursing woman by including iron-containing foods in the menu that are allowed during this period, such as:

beef;
white chicken meat;
turkey;
rabbit meat;
homemade liver pate.

butter and vegetable oil;
muesli;
whole wheat bread;
baked apples;
durum pasta;
green vegetables rich not only in iron, but also in retinol, calcium, dietary fiber, antioxidants.

In children of the first year of life, it is important to monitor the level of hemoglobin in the blood, otherwise they may develop oxygen starvation. That is why during this period it is important to ensure the supply of iron to the child’s body. But this is not easy to do, since the baby’s diet is limited.

If the child is on breastfeeding, then he gets iron from mother's milk, so a woman should monitor her diet and consume enough iron-containing foods.

If the baby is on artificial feeding, then after consultation with a pediatrician he can be given an adaptation mixture with increased content gland.

It is important to start introducing complementary foods on time. The first iron-containing foods for a baby can be buckwheat and oatmeal. Once the child reaches six months, animal food can be introduced into his diet. This can be meat and liver puree, chicken yolk. But they should be given only with the permission of the pediatrician.

You can give your child dried fruit compote and rosehip decoction.

It must be remembered that due to active growth The need for iron in a child of the first year of life increases every month.

It’s not enough just to know which foods are iron-containing, you also need to know what interferes with the absorption of iron, and what, on the contrary, helps.

Foods that promote iron absorption

In order for iron-containing foods to be better absorbed, you need to consume them together:

With foods rich in B vitamins and ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is found in bell pepper, lemons, tangerines, kiwi, rosehip, Victoria and others sour berries. So, if a maximum of 2% iron is absorbed from spinach, then when should you serve it as a side dish for meat or fish dish seasoned with berry sauce, and after eating drink a glass tomato juice iron absorption will increase 5 times. There are many B vitamins in green vegetables, seafood, nuts, seeds, cheeses, eggs, legumes. Especially necessary for iron absorption folic acid or vitamin B9, which is found in honey, yeast, and leafy green vegetables.
Minerals such as copper, zinc, and molybdenum promote the absorption of iron from foods. They are found in pork, seeds, nuts, peas, beans, and seafood.
The following plants and spices increase the absorption of iron: ginseng, thyme, cinnamon, mint, anise. Therefore, they must be present in the daily diet.
Sulfur-containing foods such as onions and garlic. They help absorb up to 70% of iron from foods.
Pickled cucumbers and cabbage. When consuming these fermented foods, the acidity gastric juice decreases, resulting in increased absorption of iron from the digestive tract.

Important! Eliminating progressive iron deficiency with diet alone can be problematic. It is important to find out what led to its appearance and eliminate the root cause. To do this, you need to consult a doctor who will help you deal with this problem, make suitable diet, will tell you what is interfering with the absorption of iron in the body and may prescribe medications containing iron.

Foods that interfere with iron absorption

There are not only products that help better absorb iron from the gastrointestinal tract, but also antagonist products that reduce the absorption and absorption of the chemical element by tissues.

Foods that impair iron absorption:

It is important that the diet be balanced, since not only these substances impair the absorption of iron, but it also, in turn, interferes with the absorption of calcium, tannins and tocopherol.

In most cases, the appearance of symptoms such as weakness, shortness of breath, numbness of the arms and legs, yellowish color people tend to attribute skin problems and insomnia to spring vitamin deficiency. But this is not entirely true. In our time, the quality of nutrition, of course, cannot be compared with ancient times, but, nevertheless, such a disease as anemia still occurs among modern people. This is especially true for residents of large cities.

This disease is popularly known as anemia. Its name does not mean at all that the volume of a person’s circulating blood suddenly decreased by a liter or more. Not at all, the number of red blood cells - erythrocytes (or hemoglobin) in the blood has simply decreased.

The word “iron deficiency” is often added to the name “anemia”. This is due to the fact that normal hematopoiesis depends on iron, and it is this chemical element that is part of hemoglobin, which transfers oxygen from the lungs to all organs and tissues of the human body, taking in return from them carbon dioxide for later removal.

In most cases, blood loss is the cause of the development of anemia, and blood loss does not necessarily have to be large. Anemia can be caused by regular bleeding from the gums, nose, gastrointestinal tract, as well as heavy menstruation and exacerbation of hemorrhoids. These conditions are quite enough for the problem to arise and become relevant.

One of the most common causes of iron deficiency in the human body is a lack of foods such as meat and vegetables in the human diet. But sometimes iron is simply not absorbed by the body due to existing problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

To get out of this situation, it is not enough, as many people believe, to increase the consumption of vegetables, meat, and especially liver. But, unfortunately, even the most balanced and rational diet cannot quickly compensate for the lack of iron in the body. The maximum that is capable of in this case proper nutrition is only to temporarily cover the lack of iron in the body.

Inability to get rid of iron deficiency, if it already exists, with the help of rational nutrition associated not with the diet itself, but with current state health of the average person. You can also note that consuming a huge amount of animal liver will not cause any special effect. Yes, the amount of iron contained in it is certainly much higher than in meat (about three times), but it is absorbed in much smaller quantities. As for the iron contained in vegetables and fruits, it is absorbed even five times worse than the iron contained in meat. Of course, consuming foods such as pomegranate juice or buckwheat, will somewhat improve the current situation, but they will not be able to save you from anemia.

The main hope in this case can be pinned exclusively on medicinal preparations of this chemical element. Such drugs should be taken on an empty stomach, while washing them down with a glass fruit juice. After taking the drug, you must avoid consuming coffee, tea, or milk, as well as cottage cheese, yoghurt, eggs, and whole grain bread for two hours. Such products have the ability to slow down the absorption of iron. In most cases, the course of treatment with such drugs lasts from three to six months.

But, like any other treatment, it is necessary to take iron-containing medications yourself only after consultation with a specialist. Iron is involved in a huge number of complex chemical reactions, occurring in our body, and its uncontrolled intake can cause enormous harm to cells, and in some cases even provoke their death.

It is one of the most common ailments and occurs in people of all ages. age category. Low level hemoglobin affects well-being, reduces activity and performance. Whatever the reasons for the disease, iron supplements for anemia must be present in therapy. Pharmaceutical companies offer many names and forms of release of this group of drugs.

Why does the body need iron?

Iron is a unique microelement that is vital for the body. As part of hemoglobin, it participates in the supply of oxygen to every cell and organ. Normal performance circulatory system without iron it is simply impossible. In addition, the element is necessary for the process of cholesterol metabolism, the synthesis of cells of the protective (immune) system, and the neutralization of accumulations harmful products in the liver.

Lack of iron leads to a serious pathology - iron deficiency anemia, which affects about 20% of humanity. The disease poses the greatest danger to newborns, pregnant women, and adolescents.

Iron deficiency: causes

Iron deficiency can develop for the following reasons:

poor nutrition, passion for strict diets;
blood loss of various etiologies(including those caused peptic ulcer, hemorrhoids, internal hemorrhage);
severe blood loss during menstruation in women;
period rapid growth organism in children and adolescents;
pathologies of the female reproductive system (fibroids, endometriosis);
surgical intervention.

In order to restore the microelement balance, it is necessary, first of all, to seek medical care, undergo diagnostics, pass lab tests. A qualified doctor will select a treatment regimen and prescribe the best iron supplements. In case of anemia, it is important to eliminate the cause that led to the development of the disease.

Iron deficiency anemia in children

A deficiency of the element is recorded even in newborn babies. This can provoke a number of undesirable consequences, because from the end of the last trimester and in the first year of life, the development of brain structures occurs. Iron deficiency and lack of oxygen in the body can lead to physical and mental retardation, weakening protective functions(immunity). In junior school age this will manifest itself in the form of inattention, rapid fatigue, and decreased learning abilities.

During the period of pregnancy to the expectant mother it is necessary to control the level of hemoglobin, since iron deficiency is often associated precisely with its lack in a woman’s body. In premature babies, pathology develops much faster.

During adolescence, iron deficiency anemia is associated with rapid growth. The onset of menstruation in girls also affects its appearance. At this time, the body needs the most proper and balanced nutrition.

Iron supplements for anemia for children should be prescribed by a pediatrician, taking into account the patient’s age and individual tolerance to all components of the medicine. Preference will be given to products in liquid (syrup, drops) or tablet form. The therapeutic course can last from 6 to 12 weeks (the degree of anemia is taken into account). In some cases, treatment for a child may take six months.

Women are at risk!

Almost every woman experiences iron deficiency. This is due to regular blood loss (menstruation), lack of foods enriched with microelements in the diet, pregnancy and breastfeeding (during these periods, iron should be supplied to the body in double quantities).

Anemia is fraught with serious consequences during pregnancy:

hypoxia (lack of oxygen);
disturbances in fetal development;
threat of miscarriage;
premature birth;
weak labor activity.

The woman will be prescribed iron supplements for anemia, which must be taken until the hemoglobin level reaches normal levels. normal indicators. It is also necessary to review the diet and introduce foods containing large amounts of iron.

What are iron supplements?

In medicinal preparations, iron (non-heme) is presented in di- and trivalent forms. The first type is better absorbed by the body, and it is also more bioavailable. When taking ferric iron, it is necessary to take into account that such products must contain an antioxidant (for example, ascorbic acid), which will convert it into a divalent form.

Medicines based on polymaltose iron (III) hydroxide, compared to sulfate, are safer, well tolerated and rarely cause side effects. In any case, taking iron supplements for anemia without a doctor’s prescription is prohibited. Excess microelement in the body can lead to undesirable consequences: it will begin to oxidize and damage cells that it encounters on its way. Therefore, before starting therapy, it is necessary to confirm the diagnosis and undergo an examination.

When are iron supplements prescribed?

It is impossible to overcome iron deficiency anemia without iron-based medications. Only absorbed with food small part from required quantity this element.

Drug therapy is started when detected the following symptoms lack of iron:

fast fatiguability;
frequent headaches;
dizziness;
pallor of mucous surfaces;
peeling and pale skin;
glossitis, stomatitis;
severe hair loss;
brittle nails;
perverted taste preferences(desire to eat chalk, clay, eggshells, paper);
dystrophy of the nail plates (in advanced stage anemia);
frequent colds due to decreased immunity;
muscle weakness;
decreased hemoglobin values;
rapid heartbeat with little physical activity.

Only a doctor can tell you which iron supplements are best to take for anemia. The dosage and duration of therapy are selected individually (depending on the level of hemoglobin and ferritin in the blood serum). Increase daily dose iron is not allowed, as this will lead to an excess of it and provoke the development serious pathologies in organism.

Iron preparations for intramuscular administration for anemia

Parenteral administration of iron supplements is indicated when standard therapy does not lead to an improvement in the patient's condition. Intravenous or intramuscular injection prescribed by the attending physician and carried out under strict control over the patient’s further reaction.

Parenteral administration of drugs is prescribed for individual intolerance to oral iron, gastric ulcers, malabsorption and the need to quickly compensate for the lack of a microelement (severe anemia). This treatment method may cause serious complications as allergic reaction, anaphylactic shock, abscess at the injection site, iron deposits on internal organs.

Iron preparations for anemia, the names of which are given below, are used for intramuscular administration.

"Zhektofer" is a complex compound of divalent iron with citric acid and sorbitol, 100 mg per ampoule.
"Ferrum Lek" - ferric hydroxide with dextran, 100 mg per ampoule. Before initial use, it is necessary to conduct a tolerance test (¼ dose is administered).
"CosmoFer" is a drug containing ferric iron in combination with dextran. It is used for both intramuscular and intravenous administration.

How to choose iron supplements?

For patients diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, it is preferable to take medications in tablet form. This will help avoid staining your tooth enamel. For better absorption, it is necessary to choose products that contain ascorbic acid. Special attention given dosage. It is optimal to consume 80 mg of iron to avoid negative consequences from an excess of an element.

The best iron supplements for anemia: reviews

The pharmaceutical market offers great amount medicines with iron various forms release. Customer reviews indicate what to choose effective drugs iron for anemia and the doctor must calculate the dosage required in a particular case. To the most effective means based on ferrous iron include:

"Sorbifer Durules" (Hungary).
"Tardiferron" (France).
"Aktiferrin" (Germany).
"Totema" (France).
"Ferroplex" (Hungary).
"Hemofer Prolangatum" (Poland).
"Heferol" (Macedonia).

Ferric iron preparations belong to a new generation. They were developed in such a way as to minimize side effects and overdose.

Considered best for the body the following drugs iron in iron deficiency anemia:

Ferrum Lek (Slovenia).
"Maltofer" (Switzerland).
"Venofer" (Switzerland).
"CosmoFer" (Denmark).
"Fenuls" (India).
"Likferr" (Russia).

In addition to taking iron supplements, it is necessary to review the diet and introduce foods that will facilitate the absorption of iron from medications.

Oxygen starvation affects the development of babies and can lead to severe consequences. Therefore, it is not surprising that many parents are looking for the most best drug iron for anemia, which is well accepted by the child’s body and quickly restores hemoglobin levels. The duration of treatment should be at least 2 months.

For younger children, iron supplements in the form of drops and syrup are suitable. Children from birth to 2 years old can take Hemofer, Actiferrin, Maltofer. They are also prescribed to premature babies, who develop anemia by the 2nd month of life.

In the period from 2 to 5 years, to treat iron deficiency, it is convenient to give a child medicines in the form of syrup (Ferronal, Ferrum Lek, Actiferrin). Older children can take iron in tablet form to avoid yellow staining of tooth enamel.

The dosage is calculated strictly by the pediatrician, and it is prohibited to exceed it. If the doctor prescribed complex drug There is no need to give the child additional iron or ascorbic acid.

The drug "Tardiferon": brief information

Faced with the problem of anemia, you need to know which iron supplements for anemia will have the greatest effect. positive action and will not cause gastrointestinal disorders. You should pay attention to the drug "Tardiferon" with a prolonged action.

The drug contains a mucoproteosis substance, thanks to which active ingredient Ferrous sulfate is released more slowly, which ensures good tolerance. Ascorbic acid provides suction, the process of which begins in the department small intestine and does not provide harmful influence on the mucous surface of the stomach. Tardiferon is prescribed if treatment is necessary or as a prevention of iron deficiency.

The drug is allowed to be used by children from 6 years of age and pregnant women (from 4 months of pregnancy). By using the product as prescribed by your doctor and without increasing the recommended dosage, you don’t have to worry about side effects.

The drug "Maltofer": description

The best iron preparations for anemia are produced on the basis of Fe (III). "Maltofer" belongs to this group of drugs. A significant advantage is also the variety of forms of application: drops, syrup, tablets (chewable), solution for parenteral administration and liquid for oral administration. Each type has its own dosage of the active substance.

Chewable tablets are specially designed for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Drops and syrup are perfect shape for use in pediatrics. The drug has high efficiency, which is confirmed positive reviews from patients. Maltofer quickly increases hemoglobin levels in both children and adults. The course of treatment for iron deficiency can range from 2 to 5 months.

Despite good tolerance and rare cases occurrence of side effects, Maltofer is prescribed only by a doctor (like other iron supplements for anemia). Names of analogs of the product: “Ferrum Lek” and “Actiferrin”.

The drug "Hemofer"

Another antianemic agent based on ferrous iron. Available in the form of yellow-green drops. May be prescribed infants, including those born earlier due date, during pregnancy and lactation, in the presence of iron deficiency anemia or for the purpose of prevention.

The daily dose of Hemofer is calculated depending on the age of the patient. For adults, it should not exceed 200 mg per day, and for children - no more than 3 mg per kilogram of weight. Side effects drug in the form of abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, attacks of nausea, vomiting more often occur with an overdose.

In order to avoid darkening of tooth enamel, it is recommended to take Hemofer drops with a straw. After consumption, drink juice or water. The drug contains glucose, so it is necessary to control sugar levels in patients with diabetes.

Interaction of iron supplements with other medications

Before using antianemic drugs, it is necessary to warn the attending physician about treatment with other medicines. Iron supplements for anemia should not be used with enzyme medications, chloramphenicol and tetracyclines. Microelement absorption into gastrointestinal tract will reduce: carbonates, phosphates, zinc salts, antacids.

The concentration of iron in the body increases sharply with simultaneous estrogen therapy. It is undesirable to combine nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with antianemic drugs. This will reinforce the negative irritant effect on the mucous surface of the stomach.

Nutrition during treatment with iron supplements

Therapeutic diet is another key to successful therapy. Products in daily diet should not block the effect that iron supplements have on anemia. Reviews from experts indicate that it is necessary to exclude caffeine (black tea, coffee, cocoa), milk, whole grains, some vegetables (beets, cabbage), legumes, nuts.

The diet of a patient with iron deficiency should be as varied as possible and consist of foods containing large amounts of this trace element. Special benefit will bring daily use red meat, liver (pork and beef), fish. It is advisable to steam such products. The amount of fats must be limited, because they inhibit the process of hematopoiesis. Sausages, frankfurters and minced meat dishes are also excluded.

It is necessary to consume fruits and berries containing vitamin C for better absorption of iron in the body. Strong tea and it is better to replace coffee with juices, fruit drinks, and herbal infusions.