What is Iron Deficiency Anemia

What do you think of when you hear the word nutrition? Dieting, exercise, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins? While these things are all extremely important to the human body, there is one substance that is often forgotten. Iron, which is most commonly thought of as a building material, helps the body with brian and muscle function as well as energy production. Naturally, problems arise when people do not have enough iron in their system. This is called iron deficiency.

Every red blood cell in the human body contains a protein called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin's job is to carry oxygen to the bodies tissues from the lungs. However, it cannot do this without the help of iron. Iron helps strengthen the bonds between the oxygen molecules and the hemoglobin so oxygen can be effectively transported throughout the body. With a lack of iron the body becomes iron deficient. 

Iron not only helps with the transportation of oxygen but with the production of hemoglobin. When hemoglobin production begins to decrease so to does the production of red blood cells. This condition is known as anemia. Iron deficiency anemia thus is the decreased production of hemoglobin caused by an insufficient iron intake.  

What causes IDA

• Nutrition: The most common cause of IDA is having an insufficient amount of iron in your diet. Foods such as red meat, green leafy vegetables, nuts, and dried fruits are all high in iron and could fight anemia.
• Bleeding: Blood loss is another way in one someone could develop IDA. A lot of times women who have heavy menstrual flows develop IDA. Internal bleeding such as ulcers can make individuals anemic as well. 
• Absorption: Some times individuals have problems absorbing iron. One example of this is those who suffer from celiacs disease. 

Who does it affect

• Women: Because women have monthly periods of menstruation, the blood loss associated with increases women's susceptibility of getting this condition. Pregnancy is also another huge reason why women are at greater risk of contracting IDA.
• Infants and Toddlers: Babies while in the womb are at the mercy of their mothers iron intake. So if a mother doesn't consume enough iron, she and her baby could both develop anemia. Once born babies also have a high risk of susceptibility because they rely on breast milk, which does not contain iron. This can cause babies to develop anemia. 

https://www.akronchildrens.org/cms/kidshealth/7ccd677758eae8a6/
picture: http://medlicker.com/534-iron-deficiency-anemia-all-you-need-to-know