How much iron do most women need and whats a good source to consume?
A women should get 18 milligrams of iron each day. The problem with iron is that it’s not easily absorbed…96% of the iron you take in through nutrition just passes through, while only 3% of it is absorbed. There are two kinds of iron: heme iron and non-heme iron. Heme iron, which makes up 40% of the iron in meat, poultry and fish, is well absorbed. Non-heme iron, which constitutes 60% of the iron in animal tissue and all the iron in plants fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts, is less well absorbed. Over-the-counter blood builders made of natural non-heme forms of iron are much safer, more absorbable, and you start seeing very good results in as little as 30 days but generally a couple of months. Iron supplements, however, should only be taken by iron-deficient anemic people, since too much iron can be toxic. Check out the two links below…one is an article on iron consumption in women, the second is a food chart for iron.
