The importance of IRON
JUST WHY DO WE NEED TO INCLUDE IRON IN OUR DIETS – AND HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH? DR JULIET MCGRATTANINVESTIGATES THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF IRON FOR RUNNER
DR JULIET MCGRATTAN
HEALTH
Right back to childhood, when images of Popeye with his bulging biceps and spinach habit come to mind, we’re aware we need iron to keep us healthy. You might also be aware that, as women runners, we are a group that can be most susceptible to iron deficiency. But why do we need iron in the first place, how much do we need, and what happens if we don’t get enough?
WHAT IS IRON AND WHY DO WE NEED IT?
Iron is a mineral, with women’s bodies containing around 3.5g. Its main role is in the production of red blood cells. Iron is a component of haemoglobin, the protein in red cells, which carries oxygen. Our red blood cells transport oxygen from our lungs to all our organs and tissues. Iron is also a component of myoglobin, a similar protein to haemoglobin, which binds and stores oxygen in muscles, ready for your more intense efforts. Iron is also involved in our hair, nail and skin formation, and in our immune defence system, too.
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Jan 2018
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