Iron is a mineral nutrient present in plants and animals. It is crucial to the human body because it aids in transporting oxygen via the blood throughout all the tissues and cells. This form of iron is called hemoglobin, which is approximately 65 to 75 percent of the iron in the body. Hemoglobin is a protein that forms part of red blood cells. Your body retains a small reserve of iron in your liver and bone marrow in the form of ferritin.

The body is not capable of producing iron. Instead, it sources its iron needs from food. There are two types of iron derived from food, non heme iron and heme iron. None heme iron is found in plant-based foods, such as vegetables, seeds, fruits and grains, among others. Heme iron is present in meat, poultry, fish and other animal products.

If you do not eat enough iron rich foods [http://www.ironrichfoods.info] your body will start using the small reserve you have. Once your iron reserves are depleted your blood will not have enough iron to transport sufficient oxygen and you have become iron deficient or anemic. Iron deficiency is the number one nutrient deficiency in the United States and one of the worst deficiencies around the world.

The most common low iron symptoms are irritability, short attention span, a constant feeling of fatigue and weakness resulting to fainting or decreased performance at work or school. The body is more susceptible to infection, the tongue swells, and the person is always feeling cold. Infants and young children unfortunately show delayed cognitive development.

The above-mentioned low iron symptoms seem generic and vague, so much so that these are dismissed as laziness or symptoms of stress.

Groups who are most at risk of becoming iron deficient include children, teenagers, senior citizens, pregnant women, women between 14 and athletes.

If you think you might be iron deficient, then have a look at these Quick and Easy Ways to Increase Your Iron Intake. Boosting your iron levels can be easy!