Iron Requirements of Indian Children and Adults

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Iron Requirements Of Indian Children And Adults

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Iron Requirements of Indian Children and Adults

What is Iron?
Iron is an important nutrient for our body and for our health. It helps our cells "breathe". Iron (“haeme”) works with protein (“globin”) to make the “haemoglobin” in red blood cells. The haemoglobin carries oxygen to all parts of the body so it can perform its normal functions. Iron is also a part of myoglobin, a protein that helps muscle cells store oxygen. Without enough iron, the body’s fuel cannot be properly synthesized. Iron is present in many foods and absorbed into the body through the stomach and is stored in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow.

Function of Iron in Body:
* To carry oxygen around the body – Every cell in the body needs oxygen. Think of our blood stream as a highway and iron (present in the haemoglobin) as a vehicle that carriers oxygen from our lungs to wherever it is needed. It is easy to see why iron is vital for life.

* Ensuring a healthy immune system – The cells which fight infection and defend the body against foreign organisms depend on adequate stores of iron. If our iron stores are low our body is prone to more frequent infections.

* Making energy – Iron is essential in the chemical reactions that produce energy from foods. Therefore, if the iron levels are inadequate, then our body may not be able to use all the energy available to it.

Click here to see your Sources of Iron Rich Food.

Daily Iron Requirements of Indians
The amount of Iron we need depends on our age, gender and activity level. The table given below highlights the iron requirements per day and its need for different age groups.

Age Group	Requirement mg/day	Need for Iron
Infants and children 1-3 years 4-6 years 7-9 years	9 (mg/day) 13 (mg/day) 16 (mg/day)	Because of the rapid growth and develment
Boy / Men 10-12 years 13-15 years 16-17 years 19+ years	21 (mg/day) 32 (mg/day) 28 (mg/day) ) 17 (mg/day)	For maintain their iron stores and hemoglobin levels.
Girls / Women 10-12 years 13-15 years 16-17 years 19+ years	27 (mg/day) 27 (mg/day) 26 (mg/day) ) 21 (mg/day)	Puberty promotes quick and rapid growth spurt in adolescent and so the need for iron is high. Women of childbearing age have increased need because of the losses from menstruation.
Pregnancy 18+ years	35 (mg/day)	The growing fetus has high requirements of iron, which needs to be supplemented through mum’s diet. The blood loss during childbirth adds on to the need. The reason for which an iron supplement is recommended for pregnant women.