Exercise and Anemia: The Call For Iron Consumption

Anemia is one of the prevalent status that is being suffered by some Americans today. When the term Anemia is stated it is precisely linked to blood and oxygen consumption.

We all recognize that blood in the circulation has one vital purpose, which is to transport oxygen to the different tissues in the body. Now if there is a not adequate red blood cell to transport oxygen, the body will definitely suffer.

Red blood cells are developed from the element called Iron. It is the fundamental component in the making of Hemoglobin; it is the protein which is responsible of carrying the oxygen.

When the amount of Hemoglobin does not meet the normal level, Anemia occurs. To be specific, it is termed Iron-Deficiency Anemia. Symptoms of such condition differ from person to person.

If there is a minor anemia, the patient regularly feels nothing at all. But if it’s already quite serious, an extreme fatigue can be experienced, also light headedness might occur, it is best to be at rest during those times to restore from lack of oxygen supply.

The next question will be, how will Anemia affect your exercise? Well, some researches show that there is a pseudo-anemia that occurs during intense works such as biking, swimming, etc.

Although it seems bad, it is essentially beneficial because of the body’s adaptation to exercise. There is only an expansion of your blood volume, making the RBC flow faster and deliver the needed oxygen, but the increase of blood volume also dissolves the RBC in the plasma which results to low hematocrit and hemoglobin in some tests.

Currently, what is significant is that when you do your work outs, you should compliment it with optimum Iron supply in your diet. You can search about it and learn the different amounts of Iron in the different common foods you consume. Sustaining Iron in the body will lead to a good control and prevention of Anemia.