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Nine in ten 'not meeting recommended iron levels'

Tuesday, 15 February 2011 11:16 AM

Over 91% of Brits are not getting sufficient iron from their diet, according to the Department of Health.

Iron helps the body produce healthy blood cells and an iron deficiency can result in lethargy, anaemia and impaired cognitive function. Iron also plays a key role in helping to maintain a healthy immune system and sustain concentration levels.

Iron is found in red meat, shellfish, eggs, beans and vegetables. The recommended daily iron intake is 8.7mg for healthy men and 14.8mg for healthy women.

A new supplement from nutrition experts Nelsons helps you top up your iron levels when you're on-the-go.

Spatone Apple (£9.95 for 28 sachets) is a new natural liquid iron supplement with added Vitamin C. It's an apple flavour shot containing spa water sourced from the Welsh mountains of Snowdonia National Park.

Spatone Apple has been shown to be easily absorbed, with up to 40% bioavailability, compared to 5- 20% from food and other iron supplements.

This Morning’s resident GP Dr Chris Steele said: “Iron nutrition presents a real challenge as iron is one of the most difficult nutrients to absorb.”

Try steak for extra energy

Up your iron to boost energy levels

It used to be called "iron-poor blood," but now we know it as anaemia. Eating iron rich foods can increase energy levels and many GPs recommend an iron supplement, too. New research found iron supplements reduced fatigue by almost 50%

Mothers iron intake can affect unborn child

Pregnant mothers iron intake can affect unborn child

A new study has claimed that a lack of iron intake during early pregnancy may have a profound and long lasting effect on the brain development of an unborn child. Low iron intake is so common that an estimated 35 percent to 58 percent of all healthy women show some degree of deficiency.

Consider supplements to boost your diet

Iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc and copper deficiencies 'common'

Many people, especially women and the elderly, are not getting enough nutrients. The Health Supplements Information Service says the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey shows too many Brits not getting everything they need from their daily diet.

 Oatcakes are full of slow-release energy

Oatcake ideas for your daily snack attack

Eat smart this spring and choose snacks with slow-release energy to make the most of your day. Oats are a wholegrain food that contain fibre and release energy slowly, which helps satisfy and keep hunger at bay throughout the day.
Nuts are packed full of nutrients

Health benefits of nuts

When it comes to nuts we’re often given mixed messages. Sometimes we’re told they’re fattening and should be avoided, other ties we’re told they’re a great, healthy snack. So how do we know what to believe?

 Too much iron increases risk of Alzheimer’s

Too much iron increases risk of Alzheimer’s

Over 50’s could be at risk of over exposure to iron, which increases the risk of Alzheimer’s, because they lose the ability to taste it due to their advancing age. Iron in water is often the problem, coupled with a high iron diet which isn’t needed.
It's important that your little ones get the right foods

Five foods your kids should be eating

Being a parent is difficult. We all want to do right by our kids but no matter how many parenting books you read and how much advice you get it can still be hard to know what the best options are. Indeed, often we get so much advice from so many different people it's difficult to know whose to take!

 Cherry juice helps ease muscle inflammation

Cherry juice boosts muscle recovery after exercise

Cherry juice helps muscles rebuild themselves after exercise, according to new research. A study from London South Bank University showed that athletes returned to 90% of normal muscle force in 24 hours after drinking cherry juice.

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Broccoli helps kill cancer cells

Broccoli helps kill cancer cells

We have long been told about the health benefits of superfoods but now Sulforaphane, one of the primary phytochemicals in broccoli has been proved to selectively target and kill prostate cancer cells, leaving normal prostate cells healthy and unaffected.

Over half of Brits want to shed 'at least a stone'

weight loss

The study commissioned by diet aid manufacturer Slimsticks, also discovered that a worrying one in five people have followed an ‘eating is cheating’ starvation diet and one in ten have tried a liquid diet.

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