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The Iron Issue

Written By

Go Vita Guest: I'm Nutriets

Child in a superhero costume standing triumphantly on a table.

When it comes to children’s immune health, vitamin C tends to steal the spotlight, yet there is another essential mineral that is often overlooked.

Most parents will know that iron is important for energy production in children; however, the fact that it is also central to the health of their immune systems is less likely to be front of mind.

In fact, iron is critical for a wide range of vital functions in a child’s body.
In addition to maintaining energy levels, it supports the production of healthy red blood cells and supports immune system function. During periods of rapid growth, a child’s needs for iron also increase dramatically.

Kids need iron to grow

If a child is a fussy eater, has a limited diet or a small appetite, getting enough iron through food alone can be a challenge.Iron-rich foods include red meat, poultry, fish, legumes and iron-fortified cereals, but if dietary intake is inadequate, it can be hard to keep up with a growing child’s needs.

Signs of low dietary iron can be subtle. For example, a child may seem low on energy, a bit run-down or slower than usual to bounce back after an illness.

All of these signs can be easy to chalk up to the busy pace of modern family life, which is why it makes sense to practise prevention via dietary modification and supplementation, especially when winter hits.

Even with a good diet, the cold and wet weather makes extra demands on immune function. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) and black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) are herbs traditionally used in Western herbal medicine to support healthy immune system function and relieve symptoms of mild respiratory tract infections.

Zinc and iron are minerals which, along with vitamin C, play vital roles in supporting overall immune system function.

Information presented is for information purposes only and is not intended to replace advice or treatment from qualified healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to treat or diagnose. Always consult your healthcare professional before taking nutritional or herbal supplements. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have any allergies or diagnosed conditions, or are taking prescription medications, always consult your healthcare professional before taking nutritional or herbal supplements.