How iron intake can improve your workouts
Christopher Worthington considers the impact of iron supplements on you and your workouts.
It is not unusual for women to suffer from iron deficiency. Symptoms such as general exhaustion, even breathlessness, and palpitations are put down to the general pace of life and ignored when there is evidence of mild anaemia. They are usually mild annoyances that you can put up with daily, but it is not easy to get the most out of both cardio and strength exercises regarding your workout. You might even find that you are giving up and going home early out of sheer exhaustion – not ideal if you are training for an event or trying to improve your general fitness.
Daily iron supplements could be the answer to improving your workouts. Women who take a daily dose can work harder but find it more manageable; their heart rate is lower, and they spend less energy. This is due to the increased ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body—iron is an essential mineral. You will tire faster if you do not have enough, particularly when exercising.
If you have heavy periods or a diet that is low in red meat (which is rich in iron), there's a chance that you could be anaemic, especially if you feel sluggish both in and out of the gym. Thankfully, suppose you are low on iron. In that case, it is a relatively easy and quick fix – either increase your intake of iron-rich foods from red meat or shellfish or pulses, dried fruit, spinach, or watercress if you are avoiding animal proteins. For an extra boost to iron absorption, add a good fresh source of Vitamin C, such as lemon juice or a tomato sauce for flavour.
Be wary of adding an extra supplement with a high dose of iron if you have not had a blood test to show that you have low levels. Too much can cause organ damage and increase your chances of contracting other issues, such as cancer, diabetes, and even heart disease.
It can be challenging to see your doctor and especially to run both important tests to check your iron levels and whether you have a low red blood cell count. For extra peace of mind and access to full diagnostics, visit haematology at Harley Street at University College Hospital, where a doctor can check not just your haemoglobin (or red blood cell) levels but also your ferritin (or iron supply).
Whether you are training for an event or just keen to monitor your physical fitness, it is a good idea to have a full health check from time to time when it is convenient for you to ensure that you are keeping up with your body's changing needs.
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- WORTHINGTON, C. (2016) How iron intake can improve your workouts [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article217.htm [Accessed
About the Author
Christopher Worthington is an experienced medical writer with several years of experience covering sports injury topics. Christopher has written for various hospital websites and contributed to health blogs.