Iron is a mineral the body uses to produce hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying part of blood. Without proper supplies of iron, ATP cannot be properly synthesized.
Iron should never be taken unless recommended by a doctor. The most absorbable form of iron is called "heme" iron.
18 mg.
Iron deficiency causes the anemia we always think of when we think of anemia! The symptoms of this form of anemia include fatigue because the body is starved for oxygen.
Overdose can be deadly, which is why iron should never be taken unless needed.
Vitamin C increases iron absorption. Vitamin A helps the body use the iron stored in the liver.
Calcium reduces iron absorption.
Heme iron is found in oysters, meat, poultry, and fish. Non-heme iron is also found in these foods, and found in dried fruit, molasses, leafy greens and wine. Acidic foods cooked in an iron pan can be a source of iron, and I believe I read that mineral-rich drinking water may be a source, as well.
Iron is taken for iron deficiency anemia. I've found no other reason to take iron supplementation.
Aspirin and NSAIDS can cause stomach bleeding. Long-term stomach bleeding can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. Iron can bind with tetracycline drugs like Cipro, lessening their absorption. Histamine-2 blocker drugs, such as tagamet make the stomach less acidic, leading to lesser iron absorption. Women taking oral contraceptives require less iron, since they typically have less blood loss.
Brittenham GM, Klein HG, Kushner JP, Ajioka RS.
Preserving the national blood supply.
Hematology (Am Soc Hematol Educ Program). 2001 Jan;:422-32.
This article brought up something I've never thought of before. That is, women of childbearing age who give blood regularly may need iron supplementation, or should at least be tested for iron deficiency on a regular basis.