Improving Our Brains and Energy With Iron
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Improving Our Brains and Energy With Iron
Having the proper iron level is essential to your health and energy! While taking iron is not the answer for everything, it can improve brain function and promote energy.
Why Is Iron Important?
Iron is an essential mineral in the body that is necessary for growth, development, red blood cell production, and hormone function. It helps support focus, athletic performance, sleep, healthy pregnancy in women, and more.
I recently treated a 10-year-old girl who experienced irritability, fatigue, restlessness, mood swings, and other symptoms. Her pediatrician and psychiatrist had treated her with ADHD medication and counseling. Although her previous lab results were “normal,” I ordered new lab testing to test her Ferritin levels. Ferritin levels measure the body’s stored iron. It can help determine if your blood has the right balance because too much iron can also lead to health issues.
After testing, her results showed normal levels of 19 ng/ml, which was within the normal range of 10-143. However, optimal levels range from 70-120. When Ferritin levels drop below 50, you can experience neurological distress symptoms. Some of these are:
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Lack of concentration
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Foggy thinking
- Headaches
- Slowed growth & development
- Behavioral problems in children
Other symptoms of low iron include:
- Weakness
- Restless legs
- Coldness in hands and feet
- Low sex drive
- Pale skin
- Arrhythmias
- Chest pain
- Heart murmur
- Enlarged heart
- Shortness of breath
- Hair loss
My patient had several of these symptoms, and most people experience similar symptoms with low iron levels. The good news is that there is a simple treatment to restore balance and promote better brain function and energy.
Determining Low Iron Levels
A blood test is the first and most crucial step in determining low iron levels. This is the most accurate way to measure low iron levels so doctors can customize a treatment plan. While doctors often prescribe iron supplements and a personalized nutrition program, treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Taking too much iron can lead to constipation, nausea, vomiting, and pain. Checking your Ferritin levels is the most accurate measure of how much your body stores iron.
After creating a personalized nutrition plan for my 10-year-old female patient and prescribing our iron supplement, her symptoms improved after six weeks. She was also able to eliminate her ADHD medication.
Using Iron To Improve Brain Function and Energy
Increasing your iron intake is a simple solution to improve brain function and energy. Many men and women, including a 40-year-old patient of mine, can experience low energy and hair loss. This can especially affect females, leading to anxiety and depression. My patient was searching for a more holistic approach because her doctor had only prescribed Rogaine for hair loss.
I tested her Ferritin levels and discovered her level was only 10. This was within the normal range but well below optimal levels of 50-80. In order to balance her levels and restore her health, we worked together to create a comprehensive nutrition plan and included our iron supplement. Within two months, she stopped losing hair and noticed improved energy.
A Note On Iron Supplements
It’s to note that not all iron supplements are equal. Many supplements on the market contain aluminum dyes and can cause stomach irritation and constipation. It’s essential to use an iron supplement the body can easily absorb. Most of these are inexpensive and promote natural iron restoration. Click here to take a look.
Contact Us Today
The Natural Medicine Clinic is happy to help you improve brain function and energy. We can help check your levels or your family member’s Ferritin levels. Please email us at info@nmcwellness.com or call us at 561-627-5800 to learn more about our services. We would be happy to help.