Battling the effects of iron deficiency

MANILA, Philippines - People are often unaware of what their body really needs. But if you know what to check and take time to look closely, you won’t miss the signs. Before you know it, you might be anemic because of lack of iron in your system.

Remember, iron deficiency not only affects your looks and performance, it may also put your overall health and well being at risk. So the next time you are feeling tired, consider giving yourself a boost — an iron boost that is.

People are all guilty of misinterpreting the signs. Often times, they brush off the symptoms of iron deficiency believing that these are just effects of sleepless nights or a long day at work. Don’t go blaming the wrong things. Know what you need to watch out for.

In an intimate and exclusive luncheon, Sangobion enlisted the help of Dr. Zaida Noblejas-Gamilla, chairperson of the OB-GYNE department of the College of Medicine of University of Santo Tomas, to talk about iron deficiency anemia and its possible remedies.

“In order to cope, you need to pay attention to your health. When signs of fatigue, paleness, lack of focus and energy start to show, it could be telling symptoms of iron deficiency. Iron-rich food such as red meat, egg yolks, legumes, and green leafy vegetables should be made a regular part of your diet. But more than that, an iron supplement is also necessary to maintain good health,” Gamilla said.

Citing data from the 2008 National Nutrition Survey, the seventh in the series of National Nutrition Surveys undertaken every five years by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology, Gamilla deduced that the heralds of iron deficiency in women are menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth and lactation.

“Diet, sports, exercise and genes are the predispositions for someone to develop iron deficiency,” Gamilla said. “The signs of anemia  are pallor, lack of concentration, easy fatigability/tiredness, shortness of breath, and headaches/dizziness (vertigo).”

Getting the right amount of iron in your diet is important for your health. Aside from food rich in iron, enough sleep and exercise, you will greatly get a boost with iron supplements such as Sangobion.

Unlike ferrous sulfate, Sangobion is an organic iron with vitamins and minerals so you can look and perform at your best every day. This formulation allows for better absorption inside the body and has less gastrointestinal side effects than ferrous sulfate.

Sangobion is packed with vitamin C, Folic acid, vitamin B12, copper sulfate, and manganese sulfate.

A common side effect of most iron supplements is constipation. Sangobion’s Sorbitol component acts as an anti-constipating agent. Sorbitol is naturally found in edible fruits and vegetables.

Ferrous sulfate usually leaves a metallic aftertaste.

Sangobion has a sweet chocolate scent that conceals such metallic hint. It is manufactured under strict quality processes by professionals of the Merck Group, the oldest pharmaceutical company in the world.

At the end of her lecture, Gamilla implored women — and men --- from six months old to over 60 to take Sangobion to give an iron boost to their bodies, because as she said, “You hold the future in your hands.”