The recommended daily allowance of iron is 10 mg for males and 15 mg for females. Groups at greatest risk are children under 2 years of age, teenage girls, pregnant women and the elderly. In the case of the elderly, iron is poorly absorbed without stomach acid and the elderly are usually deficient in this too. Lack of iron causes a form of anemia which is characterized by weakness and fatigue , poor immune function , and learning disabilities . Anemia is actually the last stage of iron deficiency.
Enzymes involved in energy production are the first to be affected.
In addition to anemia, iron deficiency is implicated in restless leg syndrome. According to the manufacturer, Iron Picolinate is the best tolerated and absorbed form of iron. Iron is the one mineral that the body never gets rid of. It stores it instead. Elevated iron levels are implicated in heart disease , risk of infection and cancer .