Facts About Iron

If you're looking for facts about iron, you've come to the right place. Everyone knows that you can get iron from red meat, but there's a lot more to this important nutrient than that. For example, did you know that women need more iron than men do? In fact, men are more likely than women to develop iron toxicity, which is an overload of iron in the system.

Read on to learn more about iron, how it works with your body, and where to get more of it.

One great source of iron is dark leafy green vegetables. Having a big salad full of spinach, chard, and dark lettuces can actually yield more iron than a hamburger, and it's a lot easier on your digestive track! If you don't like raw greens, try sauteing them with a little olive oil, garlic and sea salt.

If you're researching facts about iron, here's a good one: vitamin C helps you to absorb iron into your system. The next time you eat an iron-rich food, such as beef, greens, or broccoli, consider slicing up a juicy orange or grapefruit to go with it. If all else fails, try a glass of orange juice or add a little lemon to your water. Easy peasy.

Beans and legumes are a great source of iron. The darker the bean, the more likely they are to be an iron-rich. Try them cooked fresh with a little garlic and onion, or canned if you don't have time to cook dry beans from scratch.

One infamous iron powerhouse is chili con carne - beans + beef = a huge portion of protein and iron!

Straight iron supplements can be tough to stomach, causing digestive upset in some people. If you're looking to supplement your diet without taking regular iron pills, try taking spirulina. This little green plant pack a ton of iron and minerals, and it's a lot easier on your system than your standard iron supplement.

In fact, most dark green ocean plants are super high in iron, so eat your sea-veggies!

Another dark green veggie, broccoli is a great source of iron AND vitamin C. What does that mean? Well, if you eat broccoli (raw or cooked) you'll absorb a lot of iron since these two nutrients work synergistically to improve absorption into your system.

If you're looking for a double-shot of healthy goodness, try broccoli sprouts for all of this on top of a mega-dose of cancer-fighting phytonutrients.

These days, most cereal grains are fortified with iron and other healthy nutrients to help supplement our everyday diets. While grains are a great source of carb-based iron, make sure you get a good amount of plant-based iron into your body, which is far more readily absorbed.

Iron is an important factor in your overall health. If you're low on iron, your blood won't be able to carry enough oxygen to your organs, leaving you feeling tired and weary. If you are iron deficient, it may be necessary to do more than take an iron supplement - be sure to talk to your doctor if you have questions.

If you want to ensure optimal health, make sure you get enough iron on a daily basis. For more information, be sure to check out these iron rich foods!