Understanding iron nutrition for women

MANILA, Philippines - Do you often feel exhausted, weak or easily get tired? Are you experiencing shortness of breath, dizziness and finding it hard to concentrate? Do your friends keep telling you that you look a bit pale?

 Instead of taking those observations seriously, however, most people have a ready answer, often attributing those signs to stress or the effects of sleepless nights or long hours at work.

 People are all guilty of misinterpreting the signs, sometimes even intentionally, fearing that there might really be something wrong.

 But when these signs start to show, it could be telling symptoms of iron deficiency anemia or even more than that.

 Dr. Sylvia Carnero, an ob-gyn, points out that iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional disorder in the entire world, particularly among women and children according to the World Health Organization with three out of every five women of reproductive age prone to iron deficiency.

 As a necessary element for optimum health, iron is needed to supplant blood loss during the menstrual cycles, cure bouts of dizziness caused by anemia, correct weariness and fatigue, help gain more focus and concentration, and aid in periods of gestation, lactation, pregnancy and surrounding childbirth.

Iron-rich food such as red meat, egg yolk, legumes, and green leafy vegetables should be made a regular part of one’s diet. But more than that, an iron supplement is also necessary to maintain good health.

“Iron is an essential mineral, as it helps to transport oxygen throughout the body,” said Carnero.

Iron is also an important component of hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to transport it throughout the body. Hemoglobin represents about two-thirds of the body’s iron and if with inadequate iron, the body cannot make enough healthy oxygen-carrying red blood cells. 

Without healthy red blood cells, the body cannot get enough oxygen, leading to fatigue and exhaustion that can affect everything from brain function to the immune system's ability to fight off infections.

For pregnant women, severe iron deficiency may increase baby's risk of being born prematurely or smaller than normal.

Getting the right amount of iron and folic acid in the diet is important and how much iron one needs each day depends on age, gender, and overall health.

A woman's daily iron needs increase during adolescence because they lose blood each month during their period. That is why women from ages 19 to 50 need to get 18 mg of iron each day.

Folic acid supplementation aids in the prevention of congenital heart disease and oral cleft, preterm birth and pre-eclampsia and is linked to lower risk of autism, as well as lower risk of severe language delays.

Sangobion is an organic iron supplement that has benefited Filipinos for over 30 years. Unlike other iron supplements, Sangobion contains ferrous gluconate, an organic iron that is absorbed better by the body to help fight the signs of iron deficiency.

Each capsule is chocolate-scented that leaves no iron after-taste. Sangobion also contains essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, folic acid, vitamin B12, copper, and manganese to build healthy red blood cells and immune system. It also contains sorbitol that acts as anti-constipating agent that generally occurs in iron supplementation. 

As part of its integrated campaign, Sangobion organic iron furthers its iron deficiency awareness by letting women know the importance of taking good care of their health first in order to better take care of their loved ones.

“Women are natural nurturers but though we have much love to share, we often show love for ourselves the least. But by focusing on our own well-being and pampering ourselves once in a while, we learn that in order to give love, we must begin loving ourselves first,” said Joy Cabrera, brand manager of Sangobion.

“Sangobion helps fight signs of iron deficiency like fatigue, paleness, dizziness, and lack of focus and concentration which women experience when they neglect themselves. Taking Sangobion every day can help you boost your iron, so that you can look and be at your best,” added Cabrera.

The Sangobion Go Love Life! campaign reminds women that while they take care of others, they must not forget to take care of themselves as well. When they are at their best selves, then they can lead a life that they love.

Launched at the Makati Shangri-La last May 6, the event demonstrated to women how regularly taking time off and boosting their health with Sangobion can help women go and love life.

 Brand believers Jenni Epperson and Chesca Garcia-Kramer also shared their family stories and how they make time for themselves despite their busy schedules.

The launch was also the kick-off for Sangobion’s 15-day challenge. In addition to taking Sangobion every day for 15 days, these women also made the pledge to practice loving themselves first and to encourage other women to do the same.

Sangobion is also partnering with select establishments to treat women to special pocket events, including a shopping spree and a makeover session, which are expected to draw in more women to the cause.

For more information, visit www.sangobion.ph.