Iron supplements

The health and nutrition industry is booming. And as such, there is a wide range of supplements available to meet most everyone’s needs. Most dietary supplements are available in an over-the-counter form. However, no dietary supplement program should be taken lightly. Far too many people consume daily vitamin supplements in a somewhat flippant manner, without following proper dosing instructions or reading the projected uses. Thanks to this personal neglect, many people fail to consider the negative affects their supplement may have on the human body’s ability to function adequately when supplements are taken improperly. One prominent and common dietary supplement that is often misunderstood, but can provide users with a great number of health benefits, is iron. An iron supplement is an excellent example of a dietary additive that, when taken improperly, can do more harm than good. Read on to learn a bit more about both the benefits and the considerations for consuming an iron supplement.

Some iron supplements can be purchased over-the-counter without a prescription. However, many people require prescribed iron supplementation to help combat a wide range of health problems that can occur as a direct result of iron deficiency. Most of the time, if a doctor prescribes an iron supplement, it is because the patient in question has some form of iron deficiency that is manifesting itself through negative symptoms. Iron deficiency can also cause iron deficient anemia (a condition that is treatable through the regular consumption of an iron supplement). Anemia is a term that refers to a below average red blood cell count. Individuals who suffer from anemia often have difficulty absorbing iron, and therefore require prescription supplementation. However, anemia is not the only medical detriment treated by the continued consumption of an iron supplement.

Most prescription iron supplements come in tablet form, unless the iron deficiency is more severe in which case prescription iron comes in liquid drops and is occasionally available through intravenous dispersion.`

It’s important to note that most people obtain adequate levels of iron through their everyday diet. However, should you require supplements, it’s important to first consult your physician. Believe it or not, even some of the most simple over-the-counter iron supplements can negatively interact with a number of both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. In fact, unless you’re being properly supervised by your physician, you should avoid combining iron supplements with aspirin, common anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, and certain antibiotics such as tetracycline (the use of an iron supplement has been known to counteract the effectiveness of tetracycline and several other antibiotic medications). It has also been noted that the regular intake of an iron supplement can affect the potency of a variety of blood pressure medications.

Dosage

Let’s review the most commonly accepted ways to incorporate an iron supplement into your daily routine. First of all, iron supplements, be they prescription or over the counter, should be ingested only on an empty stomach. It’s a good idea to take your iron supplement one to two hours before or after a meal with a full 8 ounce glass of water. If you find that your iron supplement tends to upset your stomach, it is okay to take it with food or immediately after your meal (however, you should consult your physician in order to have a record made of your intentions and to seek advice if you have questions). In either case, an 8 ounce glass of water is imperative.

Another important factor to note is that not all iron supplements are created in the same manner. There is a vast difference between tablets and capsules. And in most cases, each of them will be designed to work as “sustained release” medications. Most people recognized the term “time released” – time released and sustained release are one in the same. It’s also important that you don’t chew or crush your iron supplement because this can affect the sustained release process. Medical professionals also indicate that pulverizing iron supplements can enhance the side effects associated therewith.

One sound piece of advice is that takers should avoid lying down for a least one half hour after ingesting their iron supplement (many medical professionals advise this rule be followed with any supplement, not just iron). If you take your iron supplement in a liquid form, you should dilute the solution in water or fruit juice and ingest the mixture through a straw. The utilization of a straw for the ingestion of liquid iron is notable because iron supplementation in liquid form has been recorded as having the potential to stain the enamel of the teeth. Also remember, liquid iron must be well shaken prior to each dose. And finally, with both the solid and liquid forms of the supplement, it is critically important to avoid exceeding the recommended dose.

Side Effects

While iron supplementation is incredibly beneficial to many people, even men and women who require iron supplements to maintain an adequate level of health may experience a variety of side effects as a result of their need. Iron supplementation can cause and contribute to stomach cramping, heartburn, constipation, upset stomach or nausea, and occasionally vomiting. These side effects typically occur within the first several days after beginning an iron supplement program and will diminish as the body regulates to the medication. Many people are alarmed by the development of black stool after beginning an iron supplement program. Dark stools are caused by iron that has not been absorbed into the bloodstream and are not harmful to the body. Therefore, the development of black stool should not be cause for alarm. However, you should contact your physician immediately If you happen to develop stomach pains that border on the severe, if you note any form of chest pain, if your skin becomes cold and clammy, if you note that your lips are blue in color or that your fingernails to have a bluish tint. If you recognize in yourself, or in someone you love, who has been taking an iron supplement any of the above aforementioned side effects, you should call your pharmacist and contact your physician immediately.

Iron supplement overdose can be incredibly dangerous. If you suspect that you may be experiencing the symptoms of an iron overdose, you should contact your local poison control center or call 9-1-1 immediately. Residents of the United States are also encouraged to contact the national poison hotline (1 -800-222-1222). Some of the more common symptoms of iron supplement overdose include loss of color (particularly in the face and chest), weakened and rapid heartbeat, vomiting, nausea, severe stomach pain, green diarrhea that provokes a sense of urgency, and finally, loss of consciousness.

When possible, you should try to get your iron supplementation through the intake of a healthy diet. Foods that contain adequate levels of iron and can help to boost iron levels in the body include asparagus, various types of nuts, oatmeal, peaches, spinach and other green leafy veggies, all manners of red meat, beans, and even pork liver! If your body’s iron levels are adequate thanks to a healthy, iron rich diet, an iron supplement program may not be right for you. This is the precise reason it’s important to first consult your doctor prior to embarking on an iron regimen.

Should you begin and iron supplementation program, there are a few added rules you should follow. First of all, be sure to store your iron supplement at a temperature that is between 59° and 86°F. Many people make the mistake of storing iron supplement in a bathroom medicine cabinet. The moisture in the air in a restroom is damaging to the medicinal qualities of an iron supplement and should therefore be avoided. It’s also important that you don’t store your iron supplements on windowsill or in any location that will come into direct contact with sunlight. If you elect to take or have been prescribed the liquid form of iron, do not store your supplement in the freezer. And, as with any medication, keep your iron supplements well out of the reach of children.

In addition to paying special attention to the protection and storage of your medication, it’s also wise to organize a schedule for timing the consumption of your supplement. Should you fail to take a dose of your iron supplement on time, be sure and take it as soon as you remember. If you fail to remember your supplement until it’s nearing time for your subsequent dose, you should skip the dose you missed and then resume your typical dosing schedule as directed the following day/meal. Avoid doubling up on iron supplement doses because this can cause accidental overdose and are potentially damaging to a number of the body’s vital functions.

Many Benefits

Before you get the idea that taking an iron supplement is all doom and gloom, let’s discuss a few of the many health benefits associated with the regular intake of this supplement. Iron supplements have been recorded, through several medical studies, to help ease the pain of cramping that is often associated with monthly menstruation. In order to reap the benefits and relief associated with taking an iron supplement for menstruation, patients may be required to supplement daily. If you’re chronically fatigued (a problem that seems to plague a growing number of people every day), your weak state may be associated with low levels of iron. Again, a daily iron supplement may help to improve the symptoms of this problem and can get you up and running again in no time! Some people also find that ingesting an iron supplement on a regular basis has helped to improve the level of concentration they have at work or at school. It’s also been noted that a regular iron intake can help combat brittle or weak problem fingernails, chronic infection, and even help boost chances of conception during the childbearing years!

Remember, when it comes to iron supplementation, it’s important to listen to your doctor and follow your dosing instructions thoroughly. Depending on your physical requirements, a daily iron supplement may be just what your body needs to operate at optimum levels. However, and as is the case with all supplementation, caution and care must be taken.

Regular iron supplement intake can be a great way to boost your health and combat the problems associated with many common illnesses. Taking a supplement is no substitute for a healthy diet and should not take the place of proper nutrition. Be sure and talk to your doctor before beginning any supplement regime and always treat your body with the utmost care – it’s the only one you get!