Being low in iron is no joke. It can leave you looking pale and feeling wiped out, weak, short of breath, lightheaded, and like you’re living inside a refrigerator. Women of baby-making age are extra susceptible to these woes since they lose blood every month, but anyone can become low in iron—that includes you, gentlemen! Other vulnerable groups include vegetarians, African-Americans, and Latinos, since their dietary intake of iron is typically low. How to get more iron You would think…
Feeling exhausted? And not the normal kind of exhausted—the deep-down, can barely function, whole body exhaustion? If you do, you may have an iron deficiency. And you’re probably also a woman. Iron deficiency can happen in men too, it’s just much less common. Usually it’s due to giving blood or long-distance running. But for women, our day-to-day life can create this exhausting deficiency. There are two reasons you may become deficient: You’re not taking in (or not absorbing) enough iron,…
Dr. Cathy Carlson-Rink is a licensed Naturopathic Physician and Registered Midwife in general family practice in Vancouver, British Columbia. She specializes in women and children’s health. She is also an instructor of Obstetrics and Pediatrics at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine. Additionally, she provides continuing education for health care providers in natural treatments in the areas of obstetrics and pediatrics. Children’s Health for the School Year As the summer months begin to wane, parent’s focus turns to preparing for the…