However, this essential bodily function works only with a sufficient iron supply. An inadequate quantity of blood cells leads to a lack of oxygen and nutrients in the blood, and consequently weakens the whole body. In order to maintain vibrant health, the recommended daily allowance of iron is 18 mg. Now you can get iron you need from food, but to get 18 mgs. Studies show that all too many young people simply do not get enough iron from their daily diets, particularly vegetarians who consume no red meat.
Iron deficiency remains a common affliction.
In fact, it is now considered the most widespread deficiency disease in the industrialized Western world. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently conducted a study on the prevalence of iron deficiency in the U.S. population. A recent clinical study in Sweden also revealed that a prevalence of iron deficiency exists amongst teenagers. Poor dietary habits, growth requirements, and the menstrual loss in females were cited as reasons for this common occurrence. The New Jersey team reported that the women diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia had less energy and consumed less iron in their diet than the women who were not anemic.