Iron or Iron?

I am 13 yo (years old), and I keep hearing people say I need Iron. Why? And what foods are iron in? What is iron?

Also, I love Jamba Juice, so when I get JJ should I add the femma boost (has a lot of iron)

iron is especialy important for your body. It helps create more red blood cells. Girls are prone to iron deficiency so it is important that you try to eat more meat or get an iron supplement.


Lack of iron is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world, even in the western world where most of our dietry problems are from eating too much rather than eating too little. Women are particularly at. risk. The average iron intake of a woman in the U.S.A. is only 12.3 mg, well below the recommended daily allowance of 15 mg (the amount recommended for health).If you are: tired, have reduced ability to exercise, have poor stamina, get frequent infections, or are lethargic, it may be that you could be iron deficent.

Not eating enough iron rich foods, for example, those on restrictive diets and vegetarians. 2. Increased demand for iron, for example to replace blood loss (eg from menstruation) or in times of growth (such as adolescence) or physical activity.


Iron is a mineral found in every cell of the body. It is vital for good health and for our mental and physical well being. It has three roles.

To carry oxygen around the body. Every cell in the body needs oxygen. Think of your blood stream as a highway and iron (in the hemoglobin of red blood cells) as the vehicle that carries oxygen from your lungs to wherever it's needed. It's easy to see why iron is vital for life.

Ensuring a healthy immune system. The cells which fight infection and defend the body against foreign organisms depend on adequate stores of iron. So if your iron stores are low your body is prone to more frequent infections.

Making Energy. Iron is essential in the chemical reactions that produce energy from food. So if your iron levels are low then you body may not be able to use all the energy available to it.

Iron of course is essential to healthy living, my doctor told me I was very low in iron and suggest I take a precription and after those a (One A Day vitamins) and to my horror eat liver once a wk. I was able to do the liver thing by cutting it into small strips, soaking it in milk and then dipping it into blended egg and rolling it into crispy cereal or oatmeal etc. I now love it and I since learned that you should eat all things that are deep in colour whether it be fruits or veggies. I eat lamb, fish and chicken to stay strong and compete in my chosen sports. Blueberries, strawberries and cherries are excellent choices of dark fruits, beets and all those deep greens are full of everything your body needs to grow ask healthy bones, skin and hair, not to mention to keep you strong and healthy looking (just ask poppie). Most important: do not take extra iron if you are a male. Iron leaves the body through blood and can lead to death if taken in large of quanities