Pyramid Iron in the Body Iron works with protein to make hemoglobin in red blood cells to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. The body stores iron in the liver, the spleen, and in the bone marrow. Anemia can be caused by a limited intake of iron and nutrients such as protein, folic acid, or Vitamin B-12. All of these nutrients help make red blood cells. Anemia could result from heavy blood loss or caused by a poor diet which lacks many nutrients.
Anemia is most common in women and children.
Women and teenage girls need more iron than men because of menstrual losses. Children and pregnant women need extra iron because new tissue is being built. The Recommended Dietary Allowances, also called the R.D.A., are standards for nutrient intake for the American population. Food Guide Pyramid Average selections from the Food Guide Pyramid provide about 10 milligrams of iron, plus the many nutrients with which iron works in the body. Women and teenagers need to select food carefully for iron content in order to meet their recommended intake.