Why Do Young Indian Women Need Iron Supplements

Experts widely agree that iron is a crucial mineral for the human body, playing a key role in creating hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. Iron also helps maintain healthy skin, hair, and nails. But iron deficiency is a significant public health issue in India, particularly among women. For example, stress can have a significant impact on iron levels in the body. It's important to understand that there are two types of stress that can affect iron levels: physical stress and emotional stress.

Both can affect the body's ability to absorb iron. This is because stress can affect the functioning of the digestive system, which is responsible for absorbing nutrients from food. If the digestive system is not functioning properly, it may not be able to absorb iron efficiently, leading to a decrease in iron levels.

Fatigue, dizziness, weakness

Low iron levels, also known as iron deficiency anemia, can have significant impacts on young women's health. This condition can lead to fatigue and weakness, making it difficult for women to maintain their daily activities. Iron is crucial for producing hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. When iron levels are low, the body can't produce enough healthy red blood cells to effectively transport oxygen, leading to symptoms of anemia.

"I have been low on iron all my life and did nearly nothing. It got worse and worse and one day I blacked out," Parinidhi Saxena from Patna shares. "I got my tests done for iron and that explained my general dizziness, half way through my work day. Initially I had to get injections to normalise my levels but since then I am on iron Sun Active Fe supplements."

Diksha Sareen agrees. "The biggest mistake we make is stop our supplements half way and forget it. It has a lot of do with the fact many iron supplement just taste terrible. So now I use gummies, that way I don't pause my iron course of three to six months."

Rising risks in India

The prevalence of anaemia among six groups as per the National Family Health Survey 5 (2019-21), is 25.0 percent in men (15-49 years) and 57.0 percent in women (15-49 years).

Young Indian women are at a higher risk of iron deficiency due to menstruation. During this period, women lose blood and consequently iron, increasing their need for iron intake. This is particularly important for those with heavy or prolonged periods.

Another issue is our diet, while rich in a variety of nutrients, often lacks sufficient iron. This is especially true for vegetarians or those who consume minimal amounts of meat, as plant-based iron is less readily absorbed by the body compared to iron from animal sources. 

According to a recent study, anemia prevalence among Indian adolescent females rose from 54% to 59% from 2015-2016 to 2019-2021. Out of 28 states of India, anemia prevalence increased in 21 states. However, the extent of the elevation varied among the Indian states. Tripura, Chhattisgarh, and Assam showed a considerable increase of 15 percent points, whereas Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, Karnataka, and Punjab recorded a slight rise of less than 5 percent points.

What happens when girls take have iron?

Iron deficiency can affect cognitive function. Iron is involved in various neurological processes, including the synthesis of neurotransmitters and myelin, a substance that insulates nerve cells and ensures efficient signal transmission. Therefore, low iron levels can lead to impaired cognitive function, including difficulties with concentration, memory, and learning.

Iron deficiency can also have a significant impact on the immune system. Iron is necessary for the growth and maturation of immune cells, particularly lymphocytes, which are crucial for the body's defense against pathogens. Therefore, low iron levels can make young women more susceptible to infections.

Intake needed

According to the National Institutes of Health, adult women between the ages of 19 and 50 should aim for an intake of 18 milligrams of iron per day. And so when consuming iron via supplements, one should ensure they cover more than 60 per cent of your daily needs as it becomes hard to get enough iron from food alone.

How to fix deficiency

Maintaining an ideal level of iron in your body can be achieved by diversifying your diet with iron-rich foods. Steak, chicken, seafood, and other forms of lean meat are packed with heme iron. This type of iron is more readily absorbable by our bodies. Alternatively, you can also add plant-derived foods like lentils, beans, and spinach to your meals. While these are sources of non-heme iron which is less directly absorbable, they can nevertheless bolster your iron reserves. 

Indeed, it's not uncommon to enhance your diet with iron supplements, be it in the form of gummies or capsules. Available as over-the-counter products, these often come as a recommended option for those struggling to keep their iron levels up through diet alone. 

Let's not overlook a rising trend in iron supplementation: gummies enriched with SunActive Fe. This patented form of iron is highly bioavailable and gentle on the digestive system, designed to address potential iron deficiencies. It's a variation of iron called ferric pyrophosphate which is microencapsulated to ensure sustained release and enhanced absorption in our bodies; a method approved by the world health organization.

As per this global report, SunActive Fe was around 2- 4 times better absorbed compared to other iron pyrophosphate products. "And when it comes to boosting iron levels, absorption is a key thing to look out for," says Sareen.