Department of Nutrition Services IRON Iron is an essential mineral.
Iron deficiency is the most prevalent single nutrient deficiency in the United States.
Iron is a segment of the hemoglobin molecule in your blood that carries oxygen to your cells and carries carbon dioxide back to the lungs for excretion. Signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include weakness, fatigue, sensitivity to cold, altered learning and cognition, and loss of appetite. Iron absorption is dependent on the individual's iron status, the total diet, and the amount of iron in the diet. Iron supplementation may be required during pregnancy, lactation, infancy, and early adolescence, or with any major blood loss. Listed below are the recommended amounts of iron needed depending on the individual.