Categories: Health

Iron supplements may help women beat fatigue

Swiss researchers suggest that taking iron supplements may help some women with fatigue even if they are not officially anemic.

A severe shortage of iron is the most common cause of anemia resulting in lethargy, weakness and feeling faint.

A study of 198 women, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, showed iron pills may also help those with moderately low iron levels too.

Taking too much iron, however, can be dangerous.

Swiss researchers suggest that taking iron supplements may help some women with fatigue even if they are not officially anemic

The researchers looked at reproductive age women, between 18 and 53, as menstruation is known to lower iron levels.

They said unexplained fatigue was a common problem in doctors’ surgeries, but it was as yet unknown whether iron supplements could help these women.

Nearly 200 women reporting fatigue, with no medical explanation, took part in the study. Half were given 80 mg oral iron tablets every day, while half were given sugar pills.

Medical “fatigue scores” were recorded before treatment and after 12 weeks of taking the medication.

One of the researchers, Dr. Bernard Favrat from the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, said: “We found that iron supplementation for 12 weeks decreased fatigue [scores] by 50%.

“Iron deficiency may be an under-recognized cause of fatigue in women of child-bearing age.

“For women with unexplained, prolonged fatigue, iron deficiency should be considered.”

 

Kathryn R. Bown

Kathryn - Our health specialist likes to share with the readers the latest news from the field. Nobody understands better than her the relation between healthy mind and healthy body.

Recent Posts

Quincy Jones Dead at 91

Quincy Jones, the celebrated musician and producer who worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray…

8 hours ago

White House 2024: Voter Fraud Claims Flood Social Media

Misleading allegations, rumours and outright lies about voting and fraud are flooding online spaces in…

2 days ago

Spain: At Least 158 Killed In The Country’s Worst Flooding Disaster

At least 158 people have died in Spain's worst flooding disaster in generations. On October…

4 days ago

Russia Fines Google $20,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, Surpassing Global GDP

Google has been fined two undecillion (a two followed by 36 zeroes) roubles by a…

4 days ago

Financing Your Home Remodel: 7 Tips for Success

Embarking on a home remodel is an exciting journey, promising enhanced comfort, increased property value,…

2 weeks ago

Donald Trump Serves Up McDonald’s Fries While Kamala Harris Celebrates 60th Birthday with Church Choir

The US presidential candidates continued to campaign across key swing states on October 20. Footage…

2 weeks ago