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[L654]Low Iron During Pregnancy

by Jyoti Primalani, Jyo

Hemoglobin becomes very important during pregnancy. Since your baby is also the beneficiary, you will need extra iron to see you and your baby through. Typically, the average woman needs 15mg, but now that she is pregnant, the iron requirement increases to 30-50mg, especially from about the 20th week on.

Iron Facts

Many women have an inadequate level of iron in their system to begin with, and the lack becomes more pronounced during pregnancy

Iron is very vital for the fetus; it is the only nutrient which the fetus depends totally on the mother for the supply.

Iron is needed for the formation of red blood cells; sufficient stores of iron from the start of the pregnancy to the end is vital.

The average woman cannot depend on diet alone. The demand doubles during pregnancy and so iron supplements are added to compensate for the insufficiency.

There are two types of iron, heme and nonheme iron, categorized this way because the former is derived from meat and the other from non-meat sources. Heme iron is more readily absorbed than nonheme iron.

Vegetarians have to be careful in planning their menu to make sure they get a sufficient dose of this mineral.

Iron Deficit

&bull Insufficient store of this mineral is the likely cause of incessant fatigue; it also
increases the incidence of illnesses and fainting spells

&bull Lack of iron will put a strain on the maternal heart

&bull Lack of iron will also endanger the mother should she face excessive bleeding
during delivery

&bull On the other hand an iron overdose can be disadvantageous as well.

Supplement fundamentals

&bull Iron supplements are useful; they help to manufacture hemoglobin, which will in turn help you to maintain the energy required during pregnancy.

&bull Iron tablets come in several forms and under various trade names: ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate and ferrous fumarate

&bull Absorption of iron is enhanced by vitamin C. Ideally supplements should be taken with fruit juices

&bull Certain foods and medications including high calcium foods, caffeinated drinks and antacids inhibit iron absorption. Avoid taking your supplements with these items at the same sitting.

&bull In the later months of pregnancy, when the blood volume has expanded, women may have to take additional supplements apart from their prenatal vitamins as the iron dose won't suffice then.

&bull Do not exceed the recommended dose of this mineral unless advised by your doctor - iron can suppress zinc levels.

On the Flipside

&bull Iron in excess can cause dry stools leading to constipation. The reverse happens with some women; they get diarrhea

&bull Diarrhea or constipation, it makes sense to change the form: you can switch from tablet to liquid as liquid is known to be easier on the tummy

&bull You may also try switching to either one of the three compounds (e.g. ferrous fumarate to ferrous gluconate) and see if it works for you

&bull The strength of the dose counts. Sometimes the strength may need reducing. If that is decided then make sure you compensate by increasing your intake of iron-rich foods everyday. Small amounts of iron are found in most fruits, vegetables, grains and meat that you consume daily. Work on increasing this mineral by eating iron-rich foods along with your supplement.

Most people and doctors think it is ok to use drugs for heartburn, acid reflux, or gastroesophageal disease. Drugs for these diseases should be used sparingly and should be watched closely by the doctor. Drugs should be used for a short time to give the patient time to heal any tissue damage caused by stomach acid going back into the esophagus. Even so, natural remedies can also heal tissue damage in the esophagus and cure heartburn.

Drugs are designed to neutralized or reduce acid strength or to stop the stomach lining from creating more acid. The stomach automatically produces more acid as it strength is reduced digesting food or by the use of by over the counter products and drugs.

The reduction of stomach acid can cause a major detrimental impact in your overall health. Stomach acid needs to be around 1.2 to 2.5 pH to do the hundreds of reactions that occur there. When these reactions do not occur, a cascade of unhealthy conditions begins. You won't see the detrimental health effect for short terms drug use but you will in long term use.

Here is but one condition that happens when your stomach acid is played with by over the counter drugstore products or by the numerous popular pharmaceutical drugs - anemia.

Iron is the center of the hemoglobin, red blood cell, and molecule. This molecule delivers oxygen to all of your cells as it travels through your blood system. The lack of iron in your body results in the lack of oxygen for your body and this condition is called anemia. When you lack iron, your body becomes weak and tired. Muscles become weak and you can become disoriented.

In some clinical studies, people with low stomach acid were found to be anemic. Here's how this happens. In order for iron to be absorbed into your blood it needs to be in liquid form and not precipitated, a solid, and not attached to another nutrient or fiber.

There are two types of iron - heme iron and non-heme iron. Heme iron comes from meat. When your stomach acid is low, meat heme iron will remain in as a liquid and not precipate, so there is no problem with meat heme iron and low stomach acid. The only problem is eating a lot of meat is that it is not an ideal diet for good health.

However, with non-iron coming from grains, vegetables, and fortified foods, stomach pH is important. When stomach acid is diminished, like when drugs and other drugstore products are used iron from produce and grains is also diminished. Stomach acid must separate the iron from produce and grain fibers and dissolve it so it becomes more absorbable.

So, if you tend to be anemic, or believe you have low iron, or suffer from feeling tired and in addition suffer from acid reflux or heartburn, stay away from acid reflux drugs and drugstore products. Move toward more natural remedies to solve your heartburn symptoms. Natural remedies maintain your natural stomach pH and allow you to gain the iron you need to produce and grains.

Article Source : Pg. 21

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Both Jyoti Primalani & Rudy Silva are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Jyoti Primalani has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pregnancy Problems. Jyoti Primalani, a homemaker and a mother, officially writes for , a pregnancy and parenting site. Articles are simple-to-re. Jyoti Primalani's top article generates over 1000 views. to your Favourites.

Rudy Silva has sinced written about articles on various topics from Constipation Causes, Blood Pressure and Acid Reflux. Rudy Silva, Natural Nutritionist, has just released a special report on how you can eliminate and cure your gastroesophageal reflux disease, heartburn or acid reflux, using diet and natural remedies. Go here to discover how you can stop acid reflux:. Rudy Silva's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.