Iron is an essential mineral with many crucial roles in the body. Here are some key points about iron supplementation:

1. Oxygen Transportation: Iron is a key component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all tissues throughout the body. Iron is also part of myoglobin, a protein that provides oxygen to muscles¹².

2. Metabolism and Growth: Iron supports muscle metabolism, healthy connective tissue, physical growth, neurological development, cellular functioning, and hormone synthesis¹².

3. Dietary Sources: Iron is available in two forms in food—heme iron (found in animal products like meat, seafood, and poultry) and nonheme iron (found in plant-based foods and iron-fortified products). Heme iron is generally more efficiently absorbed by the body compared to nonheme iron².

4. Supplementation Benefits: Iron supplements are beneficial for treating iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. They improve hemoglobin levels, cognitive function, and physical performance, especially in women of reproductive age and children³⁴.

5. Risks of Supplementation: While iron supplementation can prevent and treat iron deficiency, excessive iron can have adverse effects. It may lead to oxidative stress, interfere with the absorption of other nutrients, and in specific populations (e.g., individuals in malaria-endemic regions), it may increase the risk of infections⁴[^5^][^6^].

For individuals considering iron supplementation, it's crucial to do so under the guidance of a healthcare professional to avoid the risks associated with iron overload.

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Footnotes

1. Office of Dietary Supplements - Iron ↩ ↩²

2. Iron supplementation benefits physical performance in women of reproductive age ↩ ↩² ↩³

3. Iron supplementation in early childhood: health benefits and risks ↩

4. Benefits and Risks of Early Life Iron Supplementation ↩ ↩²