Overview

Your body needs iron to make a protein called hemoglobin. This protein is found in red blood cells. It carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the cells in your body. If you don't get enough iron, your body makes fewer and smaller red blood cells. As a result, your body's cells may not get enough oxygen.

Most people can get the iron their bodies need by eating enough iron-rich foods. Your doctor may advise you to take an iron supplement along with eating an iron-rich diet.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Make foods containing iron a part of your daily diet. These foods include:
  • All meats, such as chicken, beef, lamb, pork, and fish. Liver is very high in iron.
  • Raisins, peas, beans, lentils, barley, and eggs.
  • Iron-fortified grain products. These include breakfast cereals, breads, pastas, and other grain products.
• Have foods and drinks that contain vitamin C when you eat iron-rich foods. Vitamin C helps you absorb more iron from food. Foods with vitamin C include tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli, and citrus fruit or juice.
• Cook in cast-iron cookware to increase the amount of iron in foods.

How much iron do you need?

The recommended daily amount of iron varies. Most people need the following amount of iron each day.