Vitamins and Minerals 101: Iron

Here's another installment of what I'm sort of making an ongoing feature here on That's Fit. It's not really one of our true features (those are listed on the right hand side of this page), it's just something I felt like putting together myself. It's called Vitamins and Minerals 101, and this time around we're taking a look at Iron.

Name: Iron

What it Is: One of the most abundant metals on earth. It is essential to most life forms and to normal human physiology.

What it Does: It is an essential component of proteins involved in oxygen transport, as well as for the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. A deficiency of iron limits oxygen delivery to cells, resulting in fatigue and decreased immunity. Excess amounts of iron, however, can result in toxicity and even death.

How Much You Should Be Consuming: Recommended Daily Allowance for men age 19 to 50 is 8mg/day; women age 19 to 50 is 18mg/day; men age 51 years plus is 8mg/day; women age 51years plus is 8mg/day.

Where to Get It: Soybeans, lentils, kidney beans, tofu, spinach, fortified cereal and oatmeal.

Consuming an adequate amount of Iron is important for maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet. For more information on this vital mineral, click HERE to visit the National Institute of Health's website.