The study involved dividing women into three groups according to their iron levels, which were classified as either normal, iron-deficient but not anemic, or anemic. The women’s ages ranged from 18 to 35 and iron measurements were taken from each of them to determine their iron levels. During the initial stages of the study, women were given computerized tests that were used to calculate their attention, memory and learning skills, and then they were given either a daily iron supplement or placebo.
After four months, the women took the computerized tests again.
The first set of test results showed women with iron levels in the normal range scored the highest compared to the scores of the iron-deficient women who didn’t have anemia, who were lower. It was also discovered that anemic women didn’t score well on the test and took a longer time to finish it. However, the results showed an improvement in the testing scores after the women took supplements and brought their iron up to healthy levels.
Some experts suggested taking measurements of the women’s ferritin, a protein that provides an accurate indicator of the total amount of iron in the blood.
Yahoo! News April 19, 2004
It's important to note that this study applies primarily to women. Generally, most men have a problem with too much iron.
However, if you are a woman and have fatigue, it would be best to obtain a serum ferritin level. If it is below 15 or even 20, you can consider iron replacement. The best form of iron replacement would be healthy red meat.
However, if you are a person who eats a steak and it sits like a brick in your stomach, then take this as a clue that you are not likely to tolerate red meat very well, probably because of your nutritional type, and you should likely take an iron replacement.
It is also important to recognize that one needs to find the source of the iron loss in women.
This is nearly always due to dysfunctional uterine bleeding. In the office, I normally address this problem with my comprehensive nutrition plan and exercise strategies. However, I also frequently use sublingual (not transdermal creams) natural progesterone to balance out the menstrual cycles.
Related Articles:
Is it Hepatitis C or Iron Toxicity? What Makes the Body Absorb Too Much Iron? How to Diagnose Iron Overload Excess Iron Damages Blood Vessels Are You a Tired Female? New Test Shows Iron Deficiency Better The Importance of Iron Metabolism and Anemia During Pregnancy
Is it Hepatitis C or Iron Toxicity?
What Makes the Body Absorb Too Much Iron?
How to Diagnose Iron Overload
Excess Iron Damages Blood Vessels
Are You a Tired Female? New Test Shows Iron Deficiency Better
The Importance of Iron Metabolism and Anemia During Pregnancy