Why Iron Is So Important For Our Wellbeing

The red blood cells store around 66 per cent of our body's own iron supply. Without iron, the red blood cells cannot transport oxygen which is so essential for our wellbeing.
A litre of blood contains 500 mg iron. An iron deficiency can show itself through a multitude of symptoms - depending on the severity of the deficiency.
A slight lack of iron can interfere with the production of blood. The most common symptom is anaemia which shows itself with physical and mental exhaustion (problems with concentration, learning disorders). Other signs can be tiredness and fatigue, listlessness, depression, weak circulation and muscle weakness.
The next step (which is also measurable by lab tests) can manifest itself in problems with nails and teeth (malformation etc), hair loss, but also mouth ulcers and other diseases of the oral mucosa, weak immune system; pale, dry and cracked skin, brittle nails and itchy skin. Restless Leg Syndrome might also be a possible symptom.
Children show a lack of appetite, impaired growth and a weak immune defense against infections. A lack of iron can be the cause of itchy skin.
Severe lack of iron can cause soreness of the corners of the mouth, difficulties with swallowing, burning tongue, brittle hair and nails; the tongue and the mucous membranes in the mouth and the intestines cannot absorb nutrients properly. Young children with a severe iron deficiency show unusual behaviour such as eating soil or ice cubes.
Our daily intake of iron should be 10 mg for men and 15 mg for women. During pregnancy, the daily dosage should be 30 mg, and mothers who breastfeed need 20 mg.
Women lose about 12 mg during the days of menstruation which explains an increased demand of iron.
Patients who cannot absorb iron from food properly have an increased demand, among them are people who have a low level of stomach acid or suffer from frequent bleeding in the digestive system, i.e. stomach ulcers, Colitis Ulcerosa or Morbus Crohn (Crohn's disease). Infections, suffering from tumors, after an operation or the consumption of antibiotics or antacids (meds for heart burn etc) can cause an iron deficiency, as well.