The one body mineral that’s vital for an active lifestyle and why

Brought to you by Active Iron. 

Everyone knows that feeling when you're just too tired to exercise.

You might have had a really long week in work or college, you might have over-exerted yourself in your last workout, or there might be another reason. A lack of energy can often be the sign of low iron. A lot of people who are constantly tired will put it down to their busy lifestyle but often what they really need is a bit more Fe in their lives. Iron deficiency anaemia may affect up to 25 percent of the population, and often goes unnoticed. It is particularly important for girls to keep up our iron levels as we need that bit extra to get us through our monthly period struggles. Sigh. The reason we feel so tired when we have an iron deficiency is because iron helps our bodies to produce energy from food (crucial for that gym sesh) and it helps maintain a healthy immune system. So that cold you just can't seem to shake every winter might be curable after all. One way to stay on top of your iron levels is to maintain a balanced, iron-rich diet. There are two types of iron found in the diet - heme and non-heme. Heme iron is found in animal sources, such as beef, chicken, and fish, and is absorbed into the body easier than non-heme iron, which is found in eggs and plant-based foods such as tofu, spinach, and beans. To help your iron absorption, try to eat foods with a high level of vitamin C, which aids absorption, and cut down on milk, as calcium can hinder absorption. However, even with these steps, most people only absorb about 10 percent of their iron from their diet. A large number of people need assistance to get their adequate daily iron intake. If you are struggling to get enough iron, talk to your GP or pharmacist about iron supplementation. Choose one that is well absorbed and kind on your system. Signs of iron deficiency include tiredness, shortness of breath, unusual food craving, and brittle nails. If you're experiencing any of these, you might well need a little boost in iron levels. Get that energy back up. Brought to you by Active Iron.