Iron how many mg

When following a vegetarian diet, it is also important to consider components of food and medications that block or reduce iron absorption, such as:. Calcium can slow both heme and non-heme iron absorption. In most cases, a typical varied, Western-style diet is considered balanced in terms of enhancers and inhibitors of iron absorption.

In adults, doses for oral iron supplementation can be as high as 60 to mg of elemental iron per day. These doses typically apply to women who are pregnant and severely iron-deficient. An upset stomach is a common side effect of iron supplementation, so dividing doses throughout the day may help. Adults with a healthy digestive system have a very low risk of iron overload from dietary sources. People with a genetic disorder called hemochromatosis are at a high risk of iron overload as they absorb far more iron from food when compared to people without the condition.

This can lead to a buildup of iron in the liver and other organs. It can also cause the creation of free radicals that damage cells and tissues, including the liver, heart, and pancreas, as well increasing the risk of certain cancers.

Frequently taking iron supplements that contain more than 20 mg of elemental iron at a time can cause nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain, especially if the supplement is not taken with food. In severe cases, iron overdoses can lead to organ failure, internal bleeding, coma , seizure, and even death.

It is important to keep iron supplements out of reach of children to reduce the risk of fatal overdose. According to Poison Control, accidental ingestion of iron supplements was the most common cause of death from an overdose of medication in children less than 6 years old until the s.

Changes in the manufacture and distribution of iron supplements have helped reduce accidental iron overdoses in children, such as replacing sugar coatings on iron tablets with film coatings, using child-proof bottle caps, and individually packaging high doses of iron. Only one death from an iron overdose was reported between and Some studies have suggested that excessive iron intake can increase the risk of liver cancer.

Other research shows that high iron levels may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Iron may also have a direct damaging role in brain injury that results from bleeding within the brain. Research in mice has shown that high iron states increase the risk of osteoarthritis. Proton pump inhibitors PPIs used to treat reflux disease can reduce the amount of iron that can be absorbed by the body from both food and supplements.

Discuss taking an iron supplement with a physician or healthcare practitioner, as some of the signs of iron overload can resemble those of iron deficiency.

Excess iron can be dangerous, and iron supplements are not recommended except in cases of diagnosed deficiency, or where a person is at high risk of developing iron deficiency. It is preferable to achieve optimal iron intake and status through the diet rather than supplements.

This can help minimize the risk of iron overdose and ensure a good intake of the other nutrients found alongside iron in foods. Vanilla extract adds depth of flavor to recipes and baked goods, and substitutes can replace it in a pinch. Learn more about replacements for vanilla…. In this Honest Nutrition feature, we explore the practice of "clean eating," and why this concept has been a controversial one for researchers. The size of a standard drink can vary according to the type of alcohol.

A person with amyloidosis produces aggregates of insoluble protein that cannot be eliminated from the body. When a person is anaemic, the red blood cells have to work harder to get oxygen around the body. An aneurysm may have no symptoms until it is either very large or it ruptures.

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The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Blood and blood vessels. Home Blood and blood vessels. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Roles of iron in the body Recommended dietary iron intakes Recommended dietary intakes per day Types of iron in our diets How much iron do we absorb from our diet?

Dietary factors affecting iron absorption High-risk groups for iron deficiency Iron supplements Too much iron can be harmful Where to get help. Roles of iron in the body Some of the many roles of iron in the body include: oxygen transport — red blood cells contain haemoglobin, a complex protein that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

Myoglobin contains iron and is responsible for the red colour of muscle enzymes — many enzymes throughout the body contain iron, including those involved in energy production. Enzymes are catalysts increase the rate of chemical reaction that drive many cell functions immune system — proper functioning of the immune system relies, in part, on sufficient iron. The immune system helps us fight infection. Speak to a GP or a registered dietitian for more advice. Very high doses of iron can be fatal, particularly if taken by children, so always keep iron supplements out of the reach of children.

Most people should be able to get all the iron they need by eating a varied and balanced diet. If you take iron supplements, do not take too much as this could be harmful.

Taking 17mg or less a day of iron supplements is unlikely to cause any harm.