Iron
Iron helps deliver oxygen-rich blood throughout the body and is essential for physical growth and development. Low iron can lead to anemia and may cause symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, poor concentration, pale skin, cold intolerance, and brittle nails and hair.
Simon explains that iron is the nutrient where the gap between women’s and men’s needs is the greatest. “Because of monthly menstrual blood loss, women of reproductive age need more than twice the iron that men do — 18 milligrams (mg) per day compared to 8 mg for men,” she says. Iron needs increase even further during pregnancy and lactation. Meat, seafood, beans, lentils, and…
Read the full article at EVERYDAYHEALTH.COM