Iron helps carry oxygen throughout your body and getting too little can leave you feeling weak and exhausted!
Your body uses iron to make haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen to tissues. Iron deficiency can lead to anaemia, which may cause fatigue, weakness, dizziness or shortness of breath. However, these symptoms can have many causes, so testing may be needed to identify the problem.
Useful plant-based sources include lentils, chickpeas, beans, tofu, spinach and pumpkin seeds. Plant-based iron is generally less easily absorbed than the iron in meat and seafood. Pairing these foods with vitamin C-rich options such as lemon, guava or capsicum can improve iron absorption.
A balanced diet helps, but confirmed iron-deficiency anaemia may require medical treatment and investigation of its cause. Avoid taking iron supplements without appropriate advice, because excess iron can be harmful.
