IRON
This mineral is known as the 'frisky horse' as it provides us with the 'get up and go' kind of energy. Iron and oxygen are inseparably connected when it comes to things in the body. Iron attracts the oxygen (much like a magnet) and carries it throughout the body assisting its work and in healing processes. As infants, we have 4 times the amount of iron in our body than we do when we become adults. This is probably due to the fact that iron is essential for proper growth. Iron not only gives us energy and vitality but it enhances brain functioning, raises the metabolism, improves the appetite, gives one a youthful, rosy look and promotes ambition. It also improves digestion, circulation and elimination. It is the mineral that is converted by the body into hemoglobin (for which copper is essential) and then carried to the liver in preparation of oxidizing blood and tissues.
Iron is important for so many things in the body that when there is a lack of it many things are affected. Iron deficiency can cause the body to become weak because when it is missing so is oxygen. Everything in the body is affected, brain function, emotional balance, the nervous system, respiration, the blood, etc. People who suffer from iron deficiency are often antisocial, uncooperative and hypochondriacs. They become hysterical and wallow in their own self pity. They will be pale, exhausted all the time, dizzy, suffer from nosebleeds, night sweats, skin eruptions, colds, excess mucus, hormonal imbalances, mouth blisters (cankers), chronic diarrhea, arthritis and rheumatic diseases as well as all kinds of infectious diseases.
There are several different kinds of iron, most of which are not bioavailable to us. The best way to get bioavailable iron is through fruit and vegetable juices although modern medicine would tell you it is through meat and fortified dairy products. Pregnant women, lactating women and women who are menstruating or anemic are in need of more iron. Women as a whole are in need of more iron than men even though men have a higher iron load than women (meaning their bodies use more) but due to the fact that women lose more blood than men they are more prone to be deficient.
Too much iron can affect the body in serious ways as well. An iron excess can cause deficient digestion, a rise in blood pressure and body temperature, can lead to anorexia, cause extreme thirst, skin problems, hearing issues, absentmindedness, drowsiness, vomiting, a danger of arterial rupture, thickening of the blood, ringing or tingling in the ears, constipation, mottled tooth enamel, loss of balance and muscular control and excessively dark stools. And those are just for starters. Excess iron will also affect the liver, spleen and kidneys as these organs will swell and become impaired and this can lead to serious damage.
Some of the highest iron content foods are kelp, dulse, chlorophyll, black cherries, rice bran, dark leafy greens, dried fruits, blackstrap molasses, liver, goat milk, etc.
As is customary with our posts we are including some links below for your perusal. Use them wisely in furthering your own knowledge of minerals and their effects on our bodies.
This post has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is not meant to treat, prevent, mitigate or cure and illness or disease. It is for educational purposes only. Wishing all of you a very happy and blessed holiday season!
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