IRON

Iron is critical for hemoglobin, a substance in red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to the whole body, the process of which, if disrupted, can lead to fatigue and compromised brain and immune function. Iron is conserved in the body and is only lost through the loss of epithelial cells, such as skin, gut, or genitourinary cells, and blood loss. However, iron may be lost in larger quantities through menstruation or any other sort of bleeding. Children, adolescents, and menstruating women are at most risk for iron deficiency, especially if they have limited access to iron rich foods.