Adolescents are at high risk of having a low iron level, due to the combination of an unhealthy and unbalanced diet, and the increased requirement of nutrients, typical of growth and the arrival of menstruation in women.
Adolescents are at high risk of having a low iron level, due to:
Unhealthy and unbalanced diet.
Higher iron requirement, due to growth and the arrival of menstruation in women.
Males between 14 and 18 years old.
Women between 14 and 18 years old.
Pregnant teens.
Breastfeeding.
Adolescence is one of the periods when there is the greatest growth.
For example, bones and muscles grow and the amount of blood in the body increases.
In addition, in women, the menstrual period begins, which involves periodic blood loss.
Consequently, All these changes cause the body to need more vitamins and minerals.
Iron is one of those minerals, which may have a low level in the body if teenagers are not eating a healthy and balanced diet.
The thing is that iron is not produced in the body, that is, it is incorporated through food.
Adolescents require a high amount of iron during their growth phase.
For example:
In addition, in the case of pregnant or breastfeeding adolescents, iron requirements increase:
If compared, male adolescents require more iron than at any stage of childhood and adulthood.
In addition, adolescent girls also require more iron than during any phase of childhood.
However, this is not the case in female adulthood, a period in which they are required 18 mg of iron per day.
Iron is vital for oxygen to reach the entire body.
This mineral helps form hemoglobin, which is the protein that helps carry oxygen in the blood.
Therefore, a low iron level will directly affect the amount of oxygen that tissues and organs receive.
If teenagers maintain a low iron level and their iron stores are depleted, anemia can result.
Anemia may have some symptoms, such as:
First of all, Anemia is not a disease that can be self-diagnosed and treated without the help of a doctor.
Therefore, faced with the symptoms of this disease, the most important thing is to see a specialist.
The doctor will examine, diagnose if it is anemia and will indicate appropriate treatment.
In general, the treatment consists of a healthy and balanced diet that provides the required amount of iron.
In addition, if the iron level is very low, it may indicate a Iron Supplement to accompany the diet.
In addition to factors such as growth and the onset of the menstrual period, many adolescents are characterized by an unhealthy and unbalanced diet.
Diet is one of the main factors that influence teens having a low iron level.
To prevent, the most important thing is to incorporate iron-rich foods into the diet.
Animal foods are those that they provide more iron to the body. This type of iron is called hem, heme or heme.
These foods include, for example:
High concentrations of iron can also be found among plant-based foods.
However, this type of iron must be transformed to be absorbed by the body. Therefore, they provide less iron.
These foods include:
But despite their differences, The mixture of both types of iron is essential to obtain the required amount and maintain a balanced diet.
Keep in mind: get advice from a professional specialist to make dietary changes.
