The World Bank highlights undernutrition as a pervasive issue in the Philippines, with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) standing out as a prevalent micronutrient deficiency. IDA affects females due to factors like menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth-related blood loss. Initially, it may present with subtle symptoms that can easily go unnoticed. However, as the condition progresses, symptoms like fatigue, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, and paleness become more pronounced.
How to Prevent IDA
IDA can be prevented by (1) incorporating iron-rich foods such as red meat, poultry, fish, legumes, tofu, and fortified cereals into your diet to replenish iron levels; (2) combining iron with vitamin C to enhance iron absorption (example: pair iron-rich foods with sources of vitamin C like citrus fruits, tomatoes, or bell peppers); or (3) taking iron supplements that can help meet your nutrient requirements. Iron supplements aid in preventing and treating iron deficiency anemia when combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Identifying the best Iron Supplement for you
It's essential to note that iron supplements are available in various forms, each containing different amounts of elemental iron— the amount of iron the body can absorb. For instance, Ferrous Fumarate contains 33% elemental iron, Ferrous Sulfate contains 20%, and Ferrous Gluconate contains 12%. Of these forms, clearly, Ferrous Fumarate’s high elemental iron suggests that the body will be able to absorb more iron upon intake. Apart from this, iron in the form of Ferrous Fumarate has no metallic aftertaste and is gentler on the stomach.
Combat iron deficiency anemia with MAMAFER PLUS, a multivitamin containing Iron in the form of Ferrous Fumarate. This supplement provides an optimal amount of Elemental Iron (53.91 mg) and Folic Acid (800 mcg) to support red blood cell production and reduce the risk of iron deficiency anemia.
